Another attempt is today being made to lure cut-price US airline company JetBlue Airways to set up scheduled flights to and from Bermuda.

Since 2001 the Government has been working to secure a deal with the fast-growing company, which has seen airfare costs tumble on routes where it has competed with other carriers.

Making it more affordable for visitors to reach the Island by air is seen as a key initiative to boost falling tourism figures.

Tourism and Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown has been holding talks with JetBlue for the past two years in a bid to attract their custom to Bermuda.

He makes his latest pitch today as he leads a Bermudian delegation to Tampa in Florida to meet with JetBlue Chairman and CEO David Neeleman.

Before leaving the Island, Dr. Brown said: ?We have had many meetings with JetBlue over the past few years and I remain confident that Bermuda will eventually welcome JetBlue flights from the east coast.?

Amongst the delegation officials will be Bermuda International Airport general manager Jim Howes and Tourism Director of Sales and Marketing Glenn Bean. In 2004 JetBlue applied to fly to the Island in 2005, but that didn?t happen as the low-cost carrier did not have any aircraft available to service the Island.

It is thought the airline may be able to operate a service to Bermuda by next year if the current talks are successful.