A Bermudian airline could form part of the answer to the Island's airlift woes, it has been claimed.

A US developer whose company is in the process of sinking several million dollars into a new eco-resort project says Government intervention in the skies is vital to the success of tourism revitalisation.

Lew Geyser, whose Destination Villages is building the "back to nature'' Daniel's Head Village in Sandys Parish, is concerned that high prices and lack of seats could cause a headache for those selling the Island overseas. But he believes more competition -- including possibly an Island-run airline -- could spur the airlines into action. Jamaica runs its own airline and even the small South Pacific island of Tahiti has a single plane which it uses to bring tourists from the US, he noted.

"Maybe that is what we need to do if you want to get people here, what would it cost to charter a Boeing 757 and fly it back and forth? Or you could induce another airline to do it.'' Mr. Geyser, who is on the Island to check on the progress of the Daniel's Head Village, is acutely aware that however reasonable his nightly rates are, exorbitant air fares could skyrocket the vacation cost.

"We are going to see what we can do about that, we need to get some competition, it is the Government's responsibility to do something about it, assuming they want to make tourism a major industry here.

"We need some airlines like Southwest, which is no frills. Anywhere they fly against the others they are half the price.

"If they (airlines) are flying full they are not going to lower their rate,'' he said.

"Competition will bring prices down, that is what needs to happen.'' But any possibility of an `Air Bermuda' was shot down by Tourism Minister David Allen.

"I certainly don't see Government running an airline,'' he said. "If the private sector came to us we are certainly open to all proposals. We judge each on its merits.'' He added that, although Government was not planning to enter the airline business, it is willing to support airline partners. He pointed to the $2 million set aside in the budget for media backing for the new TWA and Delta services.

Tourism needs mouth-to-mouth; Page 3