The president of London-based Imperial Airlines held out the prospect yesterday.

"We are optimistic of having a service in the 1994-95 winter,'' said Mr.

Robin Gibbs, whose company is registered in Bermuda.

"Without a doubt there will be one in the spring of 1995.'' Mr. Gibbs spoke after moves for direct Germany-Bermuda flights this summer failed to get off the ground.

"It was always a little speculative whether we could get the flights this summer. We never made a firm commitment,'' he said from England.

"But I would like to stress that people over here are working very hard, and very long hours to make sure Bermuda does get a service.'' Imperial Airlines is planning flights from Frankfurt.

The company recently told The Royal Gazette it had two specially equipped DC-8 aircraft with 88 first-class seats.

The planes are said to have a lounge, bar, and an in-flight doctor.

Mr. Gibbs, who plans to fly to Bermuda within the next three weeks, said the company would not operate out of the UK because it wanted to avoid a bruising battle with British Airways.

Last week Tourism Minister Mr. Woolridge said he was hopeful the Frankfurt flight would get off the ground next year.

He stressed Government had given its blessing to the plan.

"Frankfurt is the hub of Germany, and a very good place for such a schedule,'' he said.

Bermuda had boosted spending in Europe in a bid to capture a larger chunk of the tourism market, especially in Germany.

America was still easily the biggest source of visitors, he said.