wide-bodied jets in favour of planes which can carry less cargo.

A US-based Bermudian businessman said local businesses had been hurt by Delta Airlines, which operates services to and from Atlanta and Boston, in favour of using the usual aircraft for expansion into South America.

But Jim Anthony predicted some firms' futures would be up in the air if high costs and slashed freight capacity were not tackled fast.

Earlier this month Delta -- for the first time -- lowered capacity for December to January by putting their big Lockheed L-1011 jets on other routes.

Jim Anthony -- who buys fresh fish in the US and ships it to Bermuda -- said his and other businesses were suffering due to a lack of freight space on the Delta Boeing 757 planes.

He added costs had rocketed because the current aircraft cannot accept container freight -- the cheapest -- and use the more expensive loose freight charges instead.

Mr. Anthony said with the Tristar service he could easily buy fish direct from the Florida fishing fleet on Saturday and get it to Bermuda for Sunday morning.

But he said: "I've been told by Delta that you can't even book freight space right now and I'll have to wait.'' Mr. Anthony explained: "It's affecting a lot of businesses -- we've got freight which is wanted by Bermuda companies which sits in Atlanta and goes bad because Delta has no room for it.'' And he estimated freight costs had more than doubled from 35 cents a pound to 80 cents a pound.

He added it was not just the freight business which was being affected by the slimmed-down service.

Mr. Anthony claimed that around 25 tourists were yesterday kicked off an over-booked Delta flight from Atlanta to Bermuda.

He added: "That's 25 prospective tourists who could not get to Bermuda -- and couldn't spend their money there, either.'' And he added that he had heard every coach class seat on Delta flights to Bermuda was booked until at least January 7.

No-one from Delta's Bermuda office could be contacted for comment.