Airport officials are prepared for the massive influx of new flights this summer, Airport general manager James Howes said yesterday.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown yesterday announced a third daily flight on Continental Airlines to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

The flight is the ninth new flight added to the 2004 summer flight schedule, which includes flights to Chicago, Orlando and Baltimore/Washington.

Mr. Howes said the Airport is also prepared for all the new flights that are being scheduled outside the traditional 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. time slot.

US-bound evening flights on USA3000 to Baltimore/Washington International Airport are scheduled to depart Bermuda at 7.50 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays starting on May 7.

The increase in flights and the later flight departure will affect airport services such as the use of ticket counters and the US Customs pre-clearance area.

?All of our ticket counters are set up for multiple airlines. It?s planned that they will use the same check-in facilities.?

Mr. Howes added that the US Customs schedule is from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and with the addition of the USA3000, US Customs pre-clearance is being reviewed for passengers travelling on this new flight.

?The US Department of Homeland Security is reviewing the option of pre-clearance due to USA3000 scheduled to depart at 7.50 p.m.,? Mr. Howes said.

The summer flights have increased by 24 percent overall compared to last summer with 123 scheduled flights compared to 99 in 2003, Mr. Howes said.

?Flight activity will be spread out more throughout the day and all the services will be getting a lot more business.

?Everyone here is excited about it and this is welcome news to see an increase in flights.?