1993 turnaround.

USAir is to launch a daily Bermuda-Boston service from April 4.

And early bookings to the Island through travel agents have risen over last year.

Yesterday Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said he was delighted with the news.

He believed it signalled a growing public confidence in the wake of US president Bill Clinton's election triumph.

"I am an optimist and I think it's important to be more positive in our outlook,'' he said. "I feel the mood in the United States is encouraging, and that's good for Bermuda.'' The Boston service will bring to 14 the number of daily flights from US gateway cities.

The aircraft will leave Boston at 9 a.m., arriving in Bermuda at 12.15 p.m.

The return flight will depart Bermuda at 3.20 p.m.

Yesterday Mr. Herbert Siggins, local USAir manager, said the service would run through the summer.

The company would then reexamine the route, and the rest of its service, on October 31.

Mr. Siggins did not rule out the possibility of extending the service into the winter.

"I believe our market in Boston is a very strong one, and I am extremely confident this route will prove popular.'' It will bump up to four the number of daily USAir flights to Bermuda.

New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, are already served by the company. The scheduling for these routes will virtually mirror that of last year.

Mr. Siggins said the new flight would have welcome spin-offs.

"It will release seats for sale from our other flights to Bermuda,'' he explained.

Mr. Siggins added USAir was starting its summer season about three weeks earlier this year.

"Our summer season will run from April 4 through to October 31, when we will review the schedules.'' Mr. Woolridge yesterday also raised the prospect of Air Canada improving its Bermuda links.

"I haven't heard anything officially, but I know they were very pleased with the operation this year,'' he said. Arrivals from Canada last year increased by 8.8 percent, with air arrivals up by 8 percent.

On early bookings, Mr. Woolridge was unable to say by what percentage they had risen.

But he added: "There does seem to be an upward trend. I have had discussions with some of the wholesalers who have been encouraged by the increase.'' Mr. Woolridge said the late resurgence in visitor arrivals in 1992 had been encouraging.

"I think we are going to do well in 1993. To end 1992 only 1.7 percent down on the previous year was a marvellous recovery.

"If Mr. Clinton carries out his pre-election pledges it could bring on a recovery. It now seems that Mr. Clinton may not even have to jump-start the economy.'' Last year 506,237 visitors came to Bermuda -- the worst performance since 1973.

The number of air passengers slipped 2.8 percent, although cruise arrivals edged up by 2.2 percent.