Bermuda this summer visited the Island last week in an effort to get their permit extended.

But they may have a tough time because established US carriers operating into Bermuda -- in particular from Boston -- have been experiencing poor occupancies.

And USAir has resumed its Boston-Bermuda service.

Trans National Travel and Apple Tours were given permits to offer weekly charter flights to Bermuda out of Providence, Rhode Island and Washington DC, following the withdrawal of certain East Coast-Bermuda routes by major US airlines.

Assistant Tourism director Mr. Peter Smith said the Ministry's policy on charter flights was very clear.

They are only permitted when there is insufficient scheduled air service to Bermuda.

"We have to be supportive of the regular scheduled carriers, because it is in our long term interest,'' said Mr. Smith. "Charter flights have demonstrated around the world that they can have an adverse effect on regular scheduled flights.'' Stressing no decision had been made on the charter issue, Mr. Smith noted airlines serving Bermuda from Boston this summer had seen "lousy'' occupancies.

Northwest flew to Bermuda from Boston only 47 percent full in July, while US Air was only 37 percent full, he said.

TNT's success could have been due to "aggressive pricing'' for its charter flights, Mr. Smith added.

Mr. Douglas Frank, who heads TNT, parent company of the Haley Corporation -- Bermuda's largest travel wholesaler -- planned to meet with Tourism officials to argue his case for an extension.