The cost of air travel from New York to Bermuda could be heading south, as Government and cut price carrier Jet Blue are s “step closer” to a deal to have the airline fly to Bermuda, according to Transport Minister Ewart Brown.

The Minister left the Island Friday for more than one hour of talks with the carrier's vice president for planning Dave Ulmer.

“I think that we are a step closer to having Jet Blue service Bermuda,” he told this newspaper when contacted in New York last night.

No deal has been signed yet, but Dr. Brown said he is confident that there will be a flight here before next summer.

“The challenge now is not to sell them on Bermuda but to achieve two objectives. One is to have the CEO, David Neeleman, visit Bermuda because Jet Ble doesn't fly anywhere without him having personally visited and, two, jet blue having a plane available,” the Minister said. “I'm still confident that a service could be available before next summer.

“Nothing has been finalised but I am very confident that they want to serve Bermuda and as soon as those two objectives are achieved that they will serve Bermuda.”

JetBlue Airlines started life as a private company almost three years ago and had its initial public offering in April which saw its stock soar 67 percent by the end of its first day of trading.

The airline has gained a reputation as a lean and profitable operation with the best profit margin in the industry.

“When Jet Blue enters the market it's not just another carrier entering the market,”Dr. Brown continued. “We would hope they have the same impact as they have had on the San Juan run where they have caused fares to be reduced. We hear complaints daily about the cost of flying to Bermuda.”

Talks between Government and Jet Blue had been going on for over a year.