Jersey-based Kiwi International Airlines has petitioned the US Federal Aviation Administration to provide air service to the Island from Chicago.

The service, which would operate via Newark, would re-establish the link to the US Midwest that was lost with the cancellation of Northwest Airlines' Bermuda-Detroit flights, Mr. Woolridge said.

He added that a decision by the FAA was expected in a couple of weeks.

Kiwi, which was established by former Eastern Airlines pilots and staff, was briefly grounded late last year over its failure to meet with FAA safety standards.

In the fall, it was also named the "number one'' US airline in a Conde Nast Traveler readers' poll.