begin flying to Bermuda late next month.

Kiwi -- which recently experienced a brief suspension of operations to answer questions of safety, and a top-level shake-up that replaced founder and chairman Mr. Bob Iverson with current president Mr. Danny Wright -- was expected to begin daily flights to Bermuda on May 4.

But according to a one-page statement released by the airline yesterday, the daily service will not begin until May 25.

Tourism director Mr. Gary Phillips told The Royal Gazette that this was due to problems with Kiwi's filing system.

However, he said, all other plans remained the same.

Kiwi's daily flights to Bermuda will be the airline's first scheduled international service.

The daily flight will originate from Chicago's Midway Airport.

From there it will fly to Newark, New Jersey where it will depart for Bermuda at 10.45 a.m. It is scheduled to arrive here at 2.05 p.m.

The flight will leave Bermuda at 3.30 p.m. and arrive in Newark at 4.50 p.m.

Kiwi will also offer an Atlanta connecting service through Newark.

And Mr. Phillips said this will give those coming from the Atlanta area an alternative to the Delta service to Bermuda.

Kiwi will offer special round-trip introductory fares of $248 on weekdays and $299 on weekends from May 25 to June 21.

After that date, midweek round-trip fares will start at $318 and weekend fares will start at $366.

"Bermuda is an ideal destination for our combination of affordable fares and excellent in-flight service'', Kiwi marketing director Ms Beth Mack said.

"A two-hour flight brings you to the pink sand beaches, golf and tennis facilities and renowned hospitality of this beautiful Island.

"The employee-owners of Kiwi look forward to this opportunity to bring our own brand of hospitality to Bermuda.'' USAir also announced yesterday that it will add a fifth daily nonstop flight to Bermuda next month when its Charlotte service begins.

The service, which also begins in Chicago and connects through Charlotte with 96 other cities, will begin on May 7.

Local manager Mr. Herbie Siggins said in launching the Charlotte service, a special introductory fare will also be offered to those travelling between May 7 and June 6.

Many fares will be reduced by some 20 percent, Mr. Siggins said.

Midweek round trip fares to Charlotte will be $299. The fare for passengers interested in travelling to ten other cities throughout the Carolinas will be $345.

Fares to Columbus, Dayton and Detroit will be $365, while fares to St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Milwaukee will be $399. Weekend fares -- Friday through Sunday -- will be $40 higher.

However, tickets for the special offer must be purchased by April 30.

"We are extremely excited about the re-introduction of the Charlotte service,'' Mr. Siggins said, "especially as this flight originates in Chicago and connects through 96 other cities. Chicago will now give Bermuda access to the mid West.

"We look forward to a most successful summer. We are particularly delighted to be able to offer these connections to the Bermuda travelling public who have been so supportive of USAir over the past five years.'' USAir already offers daily flights from Bermuda to Boston, New York's La Guardia Airport, Philadelphia, and Baltimore-Washington International.