All US flights have been cancelled as the Island braces itself for hurricane force winds.

A Government spokeswoman confirmed this afternoon: “All commercial flights have been cancelled today with the exception of British Airways, which is enroute to Bermuda.”

Meanwhile, all US and Canada flights have been suspended.

They include: American Airlines to New York and Miami; Delta Airlines from Boston; Air Canada from Toronto; US Airways and United Airlines from Philadelphia; Jetblue Airways from New York; and Continental Airlines from Newark.

Bermuda is expected to experience heavy rain and thunderstorms later this afternoon, with gusts to hurricane force later this evening.

However, the stormy weather conditions on the eastern seaboard have also impacted on schedules.

Mr. Adderley said: “There is a huge weather system affecting Bermuda, the East Coast and the mid-Atlantic.”

It was thought that the BA flight might not be able to land due to the weather on the Island. However the airport website reported this evening that it landed as normal.