Airport's multi-million-dollar deficit by putting in a bid to charge the Government's first-ever airplane landing fees.

In the House of Assembly on Friday, Transport Minister Wayne Furbert tabled the 1995 Civil Airports Landing Fees and Validation Act, which will up the 30 cents per 1,000 pounds of aircraft the Americans used to charge to $2.80 per 1,000 pounds.

Despite the dramatic increase in the levy, however, Mr. Furbert said last night that Bermuda's landing fees will be still be lower than other comparable airports.

In fact, the Minister told The Royal Gazette : "Bermuda's will be among the lowest.'' The landing fees, which are expected to take effect on June 1 next year, should bring in some $230,000 per year, the Ministry has calculated.

Mr. Furbert added that the Airport had an $8-million deficit when Bermuda took it over from departing US forces in June.

In another piece of legislation that was tabled on Friday, people could soon face a $5,000 fine and/or a year of imprisonment in Bermuda if they harass or intimidate someone on the basis of his or her race.

Harassment and intimidation under the 1995 Criminal Code Amendment Act have been defined as an assault, a bothersome telephone call or other form of communication, an act of trespassing or property damage.

Both will be considered illegal if the perpetrator has intended to cause "distress, fear or alarm'' and is motivated by "antipathy'' toward someone on the basis of the person's "race, colour or place of origin''.