Airport authorities are hoping to iron out a problem which led to the third daily Continental Airlines flight being scrapped even before it took off.

The route was scheduled to begin running on June 11 with a departure date of 6.45 a.m. but the airline feared the US Customs pre-clearance opening time of 6 a.m. would not give enough time to meet that schedule.

Airport general manager James Howes said Continental had initially requested a 6.55 a.m. departure time which had been approved by US Custom.

He said: ?Subsequently Continental decided that a 6.45 a.m. departure time was necessary to meet their scheduling needs and felt that 45 minutes was insufficient for all passengers and baggage to be processed, security screened and boarded to guarantee an on-time departure.?

An application has been filed with US Customs seeking an earlier opening time of 5.45 a.m. to accommodate the 6.45 a.m. departure time.

Mr. Howes said Transport Minister Ewart Brown hoped Continental and US Customs could work out an arrangement to permit the flight in the summer which had met with positive reaction when it was first announced.

UBP Transport spokesman Jamahl Simmons said: ?The Minister of Transport has enjoyed tremendous success in attracting new flights to Bermuda.

?That has made the Minister?s recent missteps with United States Customs all the more disappointing.

?The failure to consult with US Customs, a major stakeholder in Bermuda?s aviation industry and tourist economy is simply unacceptable.

?We believe that this embarrassing episode should not deter the Minister of Transport from continuing his laudable efforts in attracting more flights to Bermuda.

?We must however caution him against raising the public?s hopes in the future and hope he will insure all the necessary elements are in place prior to future announcements.?

Transport Minister Dr. Brown declined to comment last night.