Delays experienced by arriving passengers at the airport last week have been reduced following the introduction of a new line-up system over the weekend, Customs and Immigration announced yesterday.

Collector of Customs Winnifred Fostine-DeSilva apologised for the delays which occurred last week in a statement released by Government Information Services.

"I wish to assure the public that corrective measures have been put in place to speed up the clearance of passengers through the airport controls," Ms Fostine-DeSilva said.

She also countered rumours that Customs officers at the airport had been conducting a "go-slow" to protest the recent transfer of Immigration primary clearance responsibilities to HM Customs.

Rather, the Customs management team and the Bermuda Public Service Union (BPSU) have been involved in talks concerning payment for overtime, the statement said.

The statement continued: "It is the understanding of the Customs Department that individual industrial action over this issue has not been sanctioned by the BPSU and that any such action will be dealt with in the appropriate manner to ensure there is no negative impact to the travelling public."

An agreement has since been reached and implemented, it said.

"The BPSU and the Customs management team continue to work together to improve the work environment and to ensure that all members of staff are afforded every opportunity to discuss their concerns and resolve any issue in an amicable manner," Ms Fostine-DeSilva said.