Flights in and out of Bermuda were near empty yesterday but some Americans who took to the skies said they did so to defy the terrorists.

Seven flights from the United States and one from Canada reached the Island yesterday and the same number departed, with some jets carrying just 20 people, according to passengers.

Passengers revealed a mixture of emotions, with some speaking of their relief at landing safely, anxiety at the possibility of an anniversary terrorist attack, and others saying they felt happy security was so tight.

Security at Bermuda International Airport was stepped up yesterday with armed Police officers at the arrivals terminal and more intensive checking of bags than normal. Many passengers sported American flags or stickers as signs of defiance.

Jeffrey Dunn from Maryland, who was on the Washington flight, told The Royal Gazette: "We wanted to fly today because no one is going to make us afraid to fly, ever. That's what fighting terrorism is all about."

Mat Pope, from Richmond, Virginia, said: "No sir, we weren't deterred at all, and we felt we had to make a show to carry on as usual. The security was a little more than from the US, but probably about European standards."

Mr. Pope, who was on the US Airways flight from Washington, was supposed to fly to Bermuda last year on September 12, but missed his holiday due to the terrorist attacks.

Annette Kobylak, who was travelling with husband Joe and children Charlie, four, and Annabelle, two, on the American Airlines flight from New York, said she was comforted by the fact she was surrounded by her family if there was to be another attack.

"We were definitely apprehensive a bit but the fact that we were all together made it better. The three most important people in my life were with me and if the plane goes down, God bless us all," said Mrs. Kobylak, from Madison, Connecticut.

National Geographic magazine photographer Flip Nicklin, a veteran flier, revealed he was incredibly nervous coming through New York on his way to Bermuda.

"I was just so happy to get through New York and nothing happened. I can't believe how nervous I was. I've flown over a million miles, but it was just hard," he said.

Bermudian Hiram Edwards, who was on the morning American Airlines flight to Kennedy, said there were about 20-30 people on the flight.

He had to go to a wedding and had booked his ticket a long way in advance. He admitted he would have changed his ticket to avoid travelling on the first anniversary of September 11, but it would have cost too much money.

"I was worried about what kind of security there would be but it was OK. It was a challenge, but it was OK," he said. They only imposed on us that we had to sit in our seats for the first half hour and for the last 15 minutes."

Sandra Bain, who works in Bermuda, flew in yesterday from Boston. "There was low anxiety, but I thought this would be the safest day of any to travel. There were high levels of security but everyone seemed very relaxed," she said.

"We left on Sunday and everyone was making cracks about returning on September 11, but it was OK."

Queenie Gay, a Bermudian on the Air Canada flight from Toronto, said: "There were no problems and we all went through very quickly. I didn't even realise I had booked September 11 for my return."

Another Bermudian, Andrew Parsons, who was on the flight from Boston, said: "There were no problems whatsoever. We were told they normally deal with 3,000 in a morning but today there were only 600. There was no one there.

"(Another attack) always weighs at the back of the mind, but for the most part there fairly good security. It may or may not happen, but that thought will always be there."

The US Airways flight from Washington had just 20 people on board, according to passengers, while the American Airlines service from New York's John F Kennedy Airport had 38 seats filled.

The early morning American Airlines flight to Kennedy, also had a maximum of 30 people.

Other flights were busier, with passengers saying around 100 were on board the US Airways flight from Philadelphia.

Passengers said Boston's Logan International Airport was almost deserted yesterday morning.

Passenger Steve Cohen, who was on the flight from Boston, said: "The airport in Boston was almost empty. It was very solemn leaving because there was a memorial service going on at the airport, but the flight was completely uneventful."

Bermuda International Airport general manager James Howes said yesterday he was pleased with the way the day had gone.

"Things went very smoothly, but the load factors were light today and we expected this.

"The armed officers were visible to the public and intended to be so for the day."