United Airlines returned to Bermuda again on Saturday after a ten year absence in what Airport boss James Howes described as an "historic occasion".

United's new weekly summer service from Chicago's O'Hare Airport touched down 21 minutes early at 1.09 p.m.

Although there were only 20 passengers on the inaugural flight, United's regional airport manager Sherri Kawell said she was confident there would be full loads this summer when the tourism season begins.

United last flew to Bermuda ten years ago from Washington Dulles Airport.

The Saturday service will run until September 11, and United wants to repeat it next year if the demand is there, said Ms Kawell.

Not only is United effectively a new airline for Bermuda, the Island also gains a new gateway city in Chicago, opening up the possibility of new tourists from the mid-west.

And residents flying to Chicago will be able to connect to 145 world-wide destinations at O'Hare.

Welcoming the new United flight, Mr. Howes said: "It is an historic occasion, and what a thrill to see United Airlines taxi in.

"It is the fulfilment of a dream of ours for a long time to have an historic airline like United to come to Bermuda."

Afterwards, he told The Royal Gazette he and the Ministry of Transport had been lobbying United for more than two years to persuade them to come to Bermuda.

And last year the campaign was stepped up when the Ministry of Tourism also joined in the efforts to woo United to the Island.

It had been a long term goal of the Airport to win back big carriers such as United and to open up new gateways such as Chicago and Miami.

Ms Kawell said United was "really excited" to be back in Bermuda after a ten year absence and was pushing the route with promotions.

The airline had recently started flying to a number of Caribbean destinations and Mexico and the Bermuda route was evidence the airline was starting to expand and re-organise its finances to get out of bankruptcy.

When asked afterwards if the airline planned to continue the service next year, Ms Kawell said: "We would like to see how the market bears it, but we are keen to continue the service and increase the traffic here to make it successful and profitable.

"The numbers are light today, but as the season progresses we will see fuller flights and we will start to see full flights."

Acting Transport minister Neletha Butterfield said: "Not only have we gained a new gateway city, but we are also attracting a new airline."

She said having an airline of United's pedigree flying to Bermuda would increase the Island's awareness across the world.

The United flight was the first new flight this year to begin and the first fruits in the current year of Government's drive to get more carriers and more routes to the island.

The jet was greeted with the traditional hosing down for a new service from the fire service at the Airport and by the Bermuda Regiment Band.

The flight also included a party of eight tour operators from Chicago flown in by the Department of Tourism who will be staying until tomorrow and who will be checking out various hotels on the Island.