fly direct to Bermuda.

The new bid to boost tourism revolves around 40 brand new check-in terminals at the airport, which can be used by any airline.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown revealed the hi-tech move would help Government in on-going talks to attract new airlines.

In an exclusive interview with The Royal Gazette , he said possible spin-offs included a new direct service to Europe and more link-routes through major US cities.

Dr. Brown confirmed he was in talks with major airlines alongside Tourism Minister David Allen, currently on a trip to Germany and Italy.

And he said last night: "I can't say anything specific about what we are doing because as a colony, Bermuda has to gain the approval of the UK with respect to air routes.

"This is an internationally contentious area. New airline routes almost always bring about turf fights. So we have to be extremely careful in handling this,'' he said. "But Minister Allen and I are working jointly with respect to increasing air linkages from Europe and from the US.

"A direct flight from Europe using a new carrier is definitely a possibility.'' Dr. Brown said new airlines would no longer have to set up their own check-in computers becuase of the terminal revolution currently underway.

The plan, approved in Cabinet last week, will allow the airport to check in 1,000 passengers an hour instead of 700.

The extra capacity is possible because any number of the CUTE computers -- Common User Terminal Equipment -- can be used by any airline, to suit demand.

Airport to revamp check-in booths It means the airport can now scrap dedicated check-in positions for each airline.

And a new fibre-optic ring around the Airport will link the new terminals with Customs and Immigration computers, showing each passenger's details.

The 14 international check-in desks and 22 US departure desks currently in place will be phased out in April when the new computers are installed.

A 27-inch TV monitor above each desk will display the relevant airline's logo and flight information.

Dr. Brown added: "There will be a total of 70 TV monitors and five separate flight display units throughout the terminal that will provide a significant increase in the information available to passengers.

"This is something which will help us accommodate the new airlines, once they come.

"It means they will not have to install their own equipment and it shows that our Airport is category one and state-of-the-art.'' Jack Gordon, general manager of Airport Operations, said the Airport would own the computers after three years.

That follows a $2 million lease agreement with Maryland firm AIRINC, now building the computers which are already used in major airports around the US as well as Manchester, England.

And Mr. Gordon is meeting local and headquarters representatives from all of Bermuda's airlines today to discuss the new venture.

He said the move saved a $5 million expansion of the departures terminal.

And he added that the initial outlay would be recouped by charging the airlines for using the terminals on a per-passenger basis.