The heat is on ? Bermuda?s direct link with Miami was open for business last night as the inaugural flight from Miami touched down at Bermuda?s International Airport.

Between March 2 and June 9, the American Airlines will leave Miami every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 p.m., arriving in Bermuda at 8.35 p.m. It will depart Bermuda every Thursday and Monday at 9.20 a.m., arriving in Miami at 11 a.m.

Starting on June 9, the flight will depart five times a week at the same times (daily save for Monday and Tuesday eastbound, and Tuesday and Wednesday westbound).

Tourism Minister Ewart Brown, who was on the inaugural flight last night, spoke at a reception at the Airport celebrating ?the realisation of a dream which we have pursued for several years?.

?Not only has Bermuda gained a major new gateway city, we also now have non-stop service to American?s tremendous international hub at Miami International Airport.?

That links Bermudians to 244 daily flights to 93 cities, including the entire Caribbean, South America, and the south-west US, he said.

?Bermuda has long enjoyed a superb relationship with American Airlines, and this new Miami-Bermuda non-stop flight opens another chapter in this successful partnership.?

Yesterday marked just the first of the new airline services to be introduced this year, he promised.