Airport within the next six months.

Transport Minister Wayne Furbert said Government would advertise for an understudy to current airport chief Jack Gordon "within months''.

He said the aim was for a Bermudian to become Mr. Gordon's temporary understudy by July -- and take over the top position within two years.

Mr. Furbert told The Royal Gazette of the plan after calls from Shadow Transport Minister Dennis Lister for a review of the airport's top position.

Canadian Mr. Gordon, General Manager of the Department of Airport Operations, took over the reins in 1995 after building up 25 years of industry experience.

He arrived as part of the Canadian company YVR, based in Vancouver, to ease the transition from US Navy to Bermudian control of the airport.

Mr. Gordon said: "The wheels are already in motion for a Bermudian to succeed me and I will have completed my term here within two years.'' Mr. Furbert rejected claims from the Progressive Labour Party that he had not done enough to find a Bermudian General Manager of the airport.

He said: "If anybody has pushed for a Bermudian in that position then it has been me and I'm proud of our record.

"When I became Minister I said we would get the right people in position first.

"The Throne Speech in November made it clear that the present General Manager's contract would be renewed for another two years.'' Mr. Furbert denied rumours that Mr. Gordon's position had already been advertised overseas.

But he said: "We will advertise for an understudy to Mr. Gordon within months.

"Those advertisements will be placed on the Island and if that does not produce the right candidate, we will advertise overseas but for a Bermudian.

"Everyone else on the management team at the airport is a Bermudian and they will also have the right to apply for Mr. Gordon's job when the time comes.

"The Public Services Commission will have to go through an awful lot of red tape so we cannot fix an exact timetable.

"But the understudy should be in post within six months because details will be finalised in time for the budget.''