Bermuda International Airport will see an increase in flight activity this summer and extended flights and many of the airport vendors are welcoming the expanded flight schedule.

New flights to nine hubs have been announced for 2004 including a third daily Continental Airlines flight to Newark, which was announced on Wednesday.

Services within the Airport include the Bermuda Duty Free shops, Island Coffee, MEF-owned food vendors and gift shops.

Charles Gosling, vice president of Bermuda Duty Free, said more flights translated to more customers. ?Our fingers are crossed that it is going to mean it will be an increase in passengers,? Mr. Gosling said. ?We hopefully will finish off a wonderful Bermuda experience for our visitors.?

An MEF spokeswoman agreed with Mr. Gosling?s sentiments. She said: ?We are thoroughly delighted in the increase in traffic and it all has to be positive for us. We?ve always been a yes-type organisation not a no-type and we?re happy for the increase in flights.?

The addition of a USA3000 flight, which is scheduled to depart Bermuda at 7.50 p.m. when it begins on May 7, will mean extended hours for the services.

?Under our lease agreement with the Department of Airport Operations regardless of the flight we are obligated to be open two hours before a flight?s departure,? said Mr. Gosling.

?That will mean extended hours and extended costs but we are hopeful we can get the increase in passengers.?

Mr. Gosling added: ?I support the Minister and his aggressive stance in getting more airlines to the Island to help lower the cost of travel to Bermuda. It will not only benefit our business but business for the whole Island.?