AMERICAN carrier Hooters Air hopes to establish a flight between Bermuda and Myrtle Beach, starting in March, a company source indicated yesterday.

Tourism Minister Ewart Brown said last night that he welcomed the airline's interest but said he had no knowledge of its Bermuda plans.

One of the Atlanta-based airline's planes was at Bermuda International Airport yesterday, not the first time one has been spotted on the island in recent weeks.

A company source explained that this was a Hooters Air charter flight and the company hoped to start a scheduled flight here ? complete with two 'Hooters girls' on each flight ? in the spring.

"That may well be true, but I have no formal knowledge of it," Dr. Brown said. "We are looking for airlift from everywhere and if people want to establish airlift to Bermuda, then we are interested."

Hooters Air flies from several US airports including Atlanta, Baltimore, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale and also has an international route to the Bahamas.

The airline is owned by the same group which operates 375 restaurants, situated mainly in the US. In each can be found Hooters girls, two of whom are also present on every Hooters Air flight.

As the Hooters company web site explains: "The element of female sex appeal is prevalent in the restaurants and the company believes the Hooters Girl is as socially acceptable as a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, swimsuit model, or Radio City Rockette.

"The Hooters system employs over 25,000 people ? over 15,000 of which are Hooters Girls. The 'nearly world famous' Hooters Girls are the cornerstone of the Hooters concept, and as part of their job, these all-American cheerleaders make promotional and charitable appearances in their respective communities."

It adds: "Claims that Hooters exploits attractive women are as ridiculous as saying the NFL exploits men who are big and fast. Hooters Girls have the same right to use their natural female sex appeal to earn a living as do supermodels Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell."