Wayne Furbert, the Minister of Transport, said airlift to the island will continue to rise as tourism bounces back from the pandemic.

Mr Furbert told the House of Assembly that airlift had increased 22 per cent between 2022 and 2023, with air capacity expected to continue rising.

He added: “The growth in air travel showcases our ability to not just endure challenges but to emerge stronger, thriving as a destination of choice.”

Mr Furbert told the House that in 2018 there were a total of 611,000 available Bermuda-bound seats.

While that figure dipped 5 per cent in 2019, airlift plummeted in 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic as flights got grounded internationally.

However, he said the number of seats rose from 170,000 to 237,000 in 2021, 356,000 in 2022, and 433,000 last year.

He highlighted recent developments including the growth of BermudAir, the return of American Airlines flights from Washington DC and boosted airlift between the island and Newark, Boston and Miami.

Mr Furbert added: “According to the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the estimated direct spending by air visitors in 2023 was $341.3 million, an increase of 26 per cent over 2022.”