stay at home over the Millennium period.

But those visitors who still plan to come to Bermuda are finding plenty of rooms -- but limited flight availability and sometimes a higher price for their seat.

Boston-based TNT Vacations had planned to bring two extra flights to ferry New Year revellers in but pulled the aircraft, costing up to $80,000 each, after a lack of interest from the US.

There is some good news with Air Canada putting on several larger aircraft during December and January to cope with heavy demand. Overall an extra 1,000 seats will be available over the period.

A total of 346 seats were available on the charters, on services arriving on December 29 and 30, departing on January 2. But TNT cancelled the charters back in the Autumn after a year of selling notched just six bookings.

TNT director of industry relations Holly Powers said: "The flights just didn't sell. We were doing complete packages with the Sonesta, they were giving favourable rates.'' A four-night package was costing below $1,000, but Ms Powers believes early pricing for Millennium deals had scared people off, who decided to travel later for a fraction of the cost.

And worries about Y2K problems had also raised concerns, prompting travellers to opt to stay at home.

In addition, many travel agents believed they could sell group slots, but pulled out after realising the demand was not there.

Vacationers have faced competition for seats to and from Bermuda from returning family and workers trying to get overseas for the holiday.

Consequently, seat space is becoming tight for the Christmas and New Year period, with available flights at a premium.

And with many carriers cancelling some flights over the festive period, there is increased competition for the remaining seats.

On Christmas Day, there is no Continental service to or from Newark, with all other flights running as normal.

Several flights will not be operating on New Year's Eve. American Airlines have cancelled their New York to Bermuda flight in the evening and the following morning trip back to JFK.

AA spokesperson Carole DeCouto said Bermuda was one of a number of destinations that were cut, possibly because of low demand, she said.

Elsewhere the airline is operating at 90 percent capacity.

Continental are not operating their Newark flight on December 31 and Air Canada also have no service on New Year's Day. Air Canada spokesman John Reber said low demand forced the cut.

Delta Air Lines will fly into to Bermuda from Boston on New Year's Eve, but there will be no return flight that evening. The service will resume with Bermuda to Boston on January 1.