A US-based company has won the contract to provide support services at Bermuda’s airport, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

CI² Aviation, based in Atlanta, Georgia, beat BAS Serco to provide support services at the LF Wade International.

Airport general manager Aaron Adderley said: “We believe that this change in service provider will help bring about even greater career opportunities and will help better position us to pursue some of the strategic air traffic management goals we have in mind for our operation.”

The existing contract, which BAS Serco has held for 20 years, is due to expire at the end of March next year.

The company employs 40 people at the airport under the Department of Airport Operations — but a spokeswoman for the Bermuda Government said that it was expected they would all be retained by the new operator.

BAS Serco currently provides air traffic control, ground electronic and the Bermuda Weather Service.

A government spokeswoman said: “In preparation for that, Airport Operations initiated a comprehensive procurement process seeking proposals for the provision of specific aviation services These bids were received and evaluated by Airport Operations management.

“The bid submitted by CI² Aviation proved to be the preferred bid. As such, Airport Operations has opted not to renew BAS Serco’s contract.”

Mr Adderley said: “BAS Serco has been a staple at this airport. They have held this important contract for over 20 years.

“It has helped to foster the careers of many Bermudians in both aviation and weather forecasting and we’re grateful for the work they have done.”

Government added that CI² is an award-winning company and is the only minority-owned firm in the US that provides air traffic control services to the federal government.

The company also holds air traffic control contracts in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, with Bermuda now its third offshore contract.

The Government spokeswoman said: “The company has confirmed its desire to establish roots in Bermuda and to retain, hire and develop Bermudians.”

Mr Adderley backed the Government view.

He said: “Specifically, their longstanding relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and their air traffice management of airpace bordering US national airspace was viewed as a strong advantage given that our own airspace also neighbours that of the US and, for now, is presently managed by the FAA.

“Financially, CI² Aviation’s bid was extremely competitive. We were excited that it offered prospects of enhanced training and career development opportunities for local employees that the company could offer through its other contracts.”