Planes heading for Bermuda are to be steered onto a new landing path so the airport's navigation system can be given a $2 million upgrade.

Technical experts from New Jersey-based aviation giants Raytheon are already on the Island to upgrade a hi-tech radio transmitter for the first time in 20 years.

It means more aircraft will fly into Bermuda over St. David's instead of Ferry Reach.

And severe winds could now mean that planes will refuse to land in Bermuda.

The VOR navigation system, which helps direct in-bound aircraft, is now being upgraded under orders from its owners, the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Airport chiefs said the equipment, which stands for VHF Omni-directional Range, had to be improved to bring Bermuda up-to-date with international standards.

Lester Nelson, Manager of Air Operations, said: "This is one of three navigation systems that we have but it is the primary tool we use, transmitting signals from the ground to the cockpit.

"We have had a two-year plan to improve the equipment and the work should be completed by the beginning of April.

"There are essentially a lot of electronics and computers which need to be replaced.

"During that time, we will be using the airport's radar control for primary navigation and we also have a radio-based system on the east side of the airport so most planes will land by approaching over St. David's.

"That is an instrument landing system for runway approach and that will help guide planes down.

"It is just as precise, it's just that we will have fewer navigation systems to work with for the time being.'' Mr. Nelson said aircraft would still approach from the west on very windy days so they can land heading into gales.

He added: "We do not anticipate much inconvenience or many delays.

"It is a possibility that aircraft may not want to land during severe winds but records show that our weather patterns only produce an average of one day a month when that might happen.

"Otherwise, protocol says you should land facing the wind so if it is gusty, it's likely most pilots would try to land from the west.

"Then we would obviously use our existing navigation aids to help guide the planes down.

"In all other cases, planes will be landing from the east. We have scheduled this work for February and March because there are fewer planes and fewer passengers at this time of year.'' He added that the FAA would carry out a flight check to Bermuda from its Oklahoma City base in early April to test the modified navigation system.

Mr. Nelson said: "If we didn't do this now, we would be faced with the possibility that the VOR system could break down on us.

"We are talking about sophisticated technology which needs to be maintained and modified when necessary.'' Bermuda's airport is already undergoing a $20 million redevelopment.

Work is now in progress to redesign the baggage and arrivals area and car parks are being re-drawn.

There will also be a new taxi drivers' lounge with vending machines, washrooms, telephones, a PA system and flight information display.

And millions have already been spent on new take-off and landing lights and a revamped US departures area.