Zoom Airlines is set to introduce a new low-fare route from Toronto to Bermuda, it emerged yesterday.

Subject to approval from the relevant authorities Zoom is set to start a service linking Toronto to Bermuda and then London Gatwick from May 1.

It was also announced yesterday that Zoom would be resuming its London flights from March 31 although it is to drop its New York link from May 22 when it will fly to Fort Lauderdale, in Florida, instead.

Yesterday, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ewart Brown, announced that Zoom had requested permission to fly between Toronto and Bermuda beginning in May.

"We will issue the necessary Bermuda-based permit for this route pending approval from aviation officials in the United Kingdom. If the UK permission is granted as we expect, we will have ended a long-standing aviation monopoly between Bermuda and Toronto," he said.

He added: "As we all know, healthy competition in the airline industry means lower prices for residents and visitors alike. We expect the same to be true now for people flying on the Toronto route. This is good news for a great number of people."

As part of the link between Bermuda and Canada, Zoom will provide continuing service to London Gatwick. This service will begin on May 1 from Toronto to Bermuda then on to Gatwick. The exact scheduling details are still to be finalised.

Dr. Brown said: "When Zoom brought competition to the London route in 2007, visitor numbers from Europe went up sharply — a direct result of lower prices. So today there is optimism in the tourism sector that we'll see growth in visitor numbers from Canada in the very near future."

Additionally, Zoom Airlines has already revealed its plans to recommence its Gatwick-Bermuda-JFK service on March 31.

Zoom will cease its operations by summer at the delay-prone JFK, and move its U.S. stop to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Brown said: "That should help tremendously with the customer service concerns voiced in local media, while also providing competition on the Miami-Bermuda flight operated by American Airlines."

Zoom's Gatwick-Bermuda-Fort Lauderdale schedule begins on May 22.

Dr. Brown said: "Last November I assured the public we were hard at work to bring competition to the Toronto route to make it more affordable for travellers. Now we are just a couple of small steps away from seeing our hard work to a successful conclusion.

"I should also point out that Air Canada has served Bermuda well for many years, and it will continue to provide the most availability for passengers to and from Toronto. But this Government believes competition is in the best interest of the people of Bermuda and we will continue to advocate for greater competition in every area of our economy."

Dr. Brown added that Atlanta is the final challenge in providing low airfare to a gateway city. He said that he is in communications with a low cost airline and hopefully we will have good news in the future.

Dr. Brown was asked for an update on the Club Med project. He said the developer for a hotel is due to be here next week. He said: "Although I was unable to start the process when I expected to, the developer is in fact on schedule."

TORONTO*

Incoming Service –from Toronto

May 1 2008 to October 23 2008

Every Thursday

Toronto-Bermuda-London Gatwick

Outgoing Service to Toronto

May 4 2008 to October 26 2008

Every Sunday

London Gatwick-Bermuda-Toronto

LONDON

Incoming Service –from London

March 31 2008 to April 28 2008

Every Monday

London Gatwick-Bermuda-New York JFK

Outgoing Service to London

April 4 2008 to April 25 2008

Every Friday

New York JFK-Bermuda-London Gatwick

Incoming Service –from London

May 22 2008 to October 23 2008

Every Thursday

London Gatwick-Bermuda-Fort Lauderdale

Outgoing Service to London

May 25 2008 to October 19 2008

Every Sunday

Fort Lauderdale-Bermuda-London Gatwick

* Toronto schedule to be confirmed by Zoom Airlines Inc. following approval process.