Accusations that the Government has failed to live up to promises to provide better air links for Bermuda have led to clashes between the One Bermuda Alliance and the transport minister.

Susan Jackson, the OBA’s transport spokeswoman, expressed despair at the number of cancelled flights, including gateway cities such as Boston, as she called for a firmer grip on the situation.

Lawrence Scott, the transport minister, hit back stating that the resumption of flights to Boston would be announced in November.

He said negotiations were at an advanced stage to create a Bermuda-based air service provider.

Mr Scott told The Royal Gazette: “I know that I made a commitment in April of last year that the Ministry of Transport was going to ensure that Bermudians had connectivity to Boston.

“I have not forgotten that commitment and I am making good on that commitment.

“The ministry is anticipating in the near future to be making announcements to that extent.

“We are anticipating to be able to make that announcement either at the end of October or beginning of November.

“What the ministry is doing is looking to have a Bermuda-based airline.

“A Bermuda-based airline has aircraft and services that originate in Bermuda, not end in Bermuda, or come to Bermuda and go back home.

“The first flight of the day starts from Bermuda, and the last flight of the day ends in Bermuda.

“We have three air service providers that are at various stages of the certification process. Coral Jet is one.

“Once the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority gives them the AOC (Aircraft Operators Certification) or an FOC (Foreign Operators Certification) they are then able to operate.

“We are hoping to officially launch, or make public, in November.

“They are going to start with Boston and that’s what we are hoping to be able to announce in November.

“It is no secret that Coral Jet has already started to hire Bermudians to work their operation here.”

However, Ms Jackson said: “Having cancelled airline flights to gateway cities from November to April and May is unacceptable.

“Sold-out seats on the few remaining flights will cause concern for students returning home for the holidays.

“Medical patients need direct flights to Boston area hospitals. These are priorities for government to take immediate action to increase airlift to gateway cities.

“Boston and New York are the biggest markets for business travel with professionals connecting through these gateway cities to Bermuda to conduct business.

“Prices for the few flights that are available are reaching close to $1,000 in some cases.”

Ms Jackson insisted the Government should have negotiated direct flights to gateway cities in the United States and called for organisations such as the Bermuda Tourism Authority to be given much greater flexibility.

She said: “There is a travel market of approximately 60,000 people on the island.

“Bermuda is affectionately referred to as the most travelled country per capita and the local travelling market is large enough for government officials to advocate for airlift based on this.

“Last year, the transport minister cited ‘low demand’ for the route cancellations following the pandemic, but this reasoning no longer applies as the world has opened up.

“The transport and tourism ministries and their partners have had ample time to negotiate direct services to these gateway cities.

“The government ministries should be condemned for not negotiating flights for local travel and, if necessary, financially supporting flights during these shoulder months.

“Government’s solution to fly through the Charlotte hub and make connecting flights to New York and Boston is ridiculous.

“As cited almost a year ago by opposition leader Cole Simons, ‘The PLP government had planted a seed for a ghost island this coming winter’.

“It looks like his words may ring true for yet another year.”