direct air links with Bermuda.

A spokesman for the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce declared: "It would be most unfortunate if this were to happen.'' And Meyer Agencies' vice-president of marketing Mr. Carl Paiva said: "It would be a huge miss.'' Mr. Paiva, however, added Meyer had not received any official word on the future of the Bermuda to Raleigh-Durham, flight.

Tourism Minister the Hon. (C.V.) Jim Woolridge announced last week the flight -- often used by Bermudian concert-goers and shoppers -- would probably not be restored in the spring.

He said the information had come from the director of marketing with American Airlines, Mr. Horace Hord.

But he stressed: "Other possibilities are being explored, although it is premature to say what they are.'' It is well known Government has been holding out hope of American putting on a service between Bermuda and Miami.

"We are still awaiting word about this. We are hopeful something positive will emerge,'' said Mr. Woolridge.

Tourism Director Mr. Gary Phillips said the Raleigh-Bermuda route was a "challenge in the sense that all airlines were busy looking at their hubbing systems''.

"Raleigh-Durham has been questioned by American Airlines as to its size in terms of how much traffic is being fed into it.'' He added: "In terms of Miami, there is nothing more. We had a meeting with American Airlines and are waiting to hear from them.'' Mr. Phillips said the Tourism Department had other irons in the fire.

These included a flight from Frankfurt, and additional lift from British Airways.

BA would be providing extra seats next year when the third flight came on a month earlier, said Mr. Phillips.

"The fourth flight is also coming on early. We are getting 15 percent additional seats between both flights.'' He added: "Last year the third flight started in April, this time it will start in March. Last year the fourth flight started in June, this time it will start in May.'' Mr. Phillips said he hoped BA would be convinced it was worth their while to provide three flights in the winter.

The Raleigh Chamber of Commerce's vice-president for economic and community development Mr. Alex Poe said he had not been told officially American was planning to cancel the flight.

But he said the Chamber would be disappointed if it should happen.

"If it's true I'm surprised,'' he said, adding the flight appeared to be profitable.

Mr. Poe knew of the immense popularity of Raleigh with Bermudian shoppers.

General manager of The Holiday Inn in Crabtree Valley, Raleigh, Mr. Al Castelli said: "I am aware there are a lot of people from Bermuda who come here for shopping.

"We've had a few stay at our hotel over the year, and I was not aware American Airlines was intending to cancel the flight.'' He added: "The whole area does not want to stop Bermudians coming here, but I don't think there is any way of influencing American Airlines.'' Mr. Castelli said American had to consider whether the flight was proving profitable.

"That is the bottom line.'' Mr. Paiva highlighted the importance of Raleigh to Bermudians.

"It's extremely popular with people who want to go there to shop or connect with other destinations.

"As a place to go for summer concerts -- top name concerts -- it's also a great destination.'' Mr. Paiva said Miami would prove a wonderful gateway to South America, if American provided a service from there.

One Bermudian shopper who went to Raleigh over the Thanksgiving weekend spoke of the huge variety of stores there.

The mother-of-two stayed at The Sheraton, which offered a good rate and provided a bus shuttle service to the shops.

"There are big department stores and malls, and warehouses -- such as Sam's warehouse where you can buy big bulk food, frozen food, clothing, audio visual items, equipment, videos, and fresh bakery. There is also a great book store.'' She added the one-and-a-half-hour flight would be great loss to Bermudians if it was cancelled.

"There and back over the Thanksgiving weekend the plane was packed with Bermudians.'' American Airlines spokesman Mr. Al Becker admitted the Raleigh-Bermuda flight would probably not be operating next year.

"It is nothing to do with Bermuda and everything to do with the smaller size of our Raleigh-Durham hub,'' he said.

Mr. Becker said the airline had recently announced the elimination of its American Eagle regional service in Raleigh and was reducing the overall size of the hub because of fierce competition in the US airline industry.

He added a significantly smaller hub meant far fewer connections to other destinations, such as Bermuda.

"On the other hand we are looking very actively and aggressively within our company at a number of other alternatives and opportunities for expanding our overall service to Bermuda.'' Mr. Becker said he could not give any details because the matter was "highly confidential''.