Gordon.

Erasing that deficit in five years is the goal of Mr. Gordon and the new Airport management team.

"Our biggest challenge is the economics of the Airport,'' Mr. Gordon told The Royal Gazette . "Our costs are $12 million a year, not including any capital projects, of which there are quite a number.

"That's set against operating revenues of only $4 million a year.'' Mr.

Gordon -- one of three Airport officials that came to Bermuda from YVR in Vancouver as part of a one-year, $616,000 contract -- is at work with his team planning many changes at the Airport, which has been turned over to the Bermuda Government from the US Navy as part of the Base closure.

Planned changes include: Major improvements to the Airport arrivals area, which helps form a visitor's first impression of Bermuda.

The present arrivals hall "doesn't reflect the kind of image that Bermuda should be projecting'', Mr. Gordon said.

"It's a high-priced and very upmarket destination. It's advertised as that.

People expect it.'' But presently, visitors can not even stay dry if they have to get off their flight during a rain storm.

Major hikes in airline landing fees, which the US Navy had left far below those charged by other airports.

An interim increase was imposed when Bermuda took over air operations on July 1, taking the rate to $1.30 per thousand pounds from 30 cents per thousand pounds.

Further increases are being negotiated with the airlines.

"We're only asking them to pay their fair share,'' Mr. Gordon said. "The Navy was almost giving it away.'' Implementation of an Airport "retail plan'', a draft of which is to be ready in September. While Cabinet and other approvals will be needed, more stores and restaurants are expected to generate more revenue.

Marketing of the newly-built North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) hangar, which Bermuda gets as part of the Base closure. It could be used to service executive jets.

Bermudianisation of the Airport management, with Bermudians named directly to some positions and understudies hired to work with and eventually replace overseas experts.

New parking charges, again to hike revenues.

Changes to the terminal concourse and its entrances and exits to comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation security standards.

Improvements to the runway and taxiways and replacement and upgrading of runway lighting and approach lights.

Improvements to the cargo warehouse.

Removement of trees around Longbird House, which housed the Base Commanding Officer, and possible removal of the house itself, again to meet ICAO standards.

Mr. Gordon said a first draft of a "conceptual land use plan'' for the Airport has just been completed, and will have to be married with a land use plan for the entire Base lands drawn up by the London contractor EDAW.

The Airport land plan sets out a number of options, including "whether or not we stay with this terminal building'', he said. Mr. Gordon did not foresee a quick move from the present terminal building, but said it could be called for in 15 to 20 years.