Freak snowstorms in New York grounded one flight headed for the Island yesterday.

The blizzard dumped ten inches of snow in what weather forecasters dubbed a freak and unsually heavy storm for April.

American Airlines cancelled its morning flight from New York to Bermuda, but said its evening flight would be on schedule.

Bermuda International Airport Operation duty officer Arthur Adams said: "You expect weather like this in February, but now is the wrong time of year for it."

He said: "We had some information that the noon day American 686 was cancelled, but we are waiting to receive clearance on the evening flight.

"This sort of weather has not happened in recent memory.

"The Continental flight this afternoon arrived 40 minutes late from Newark.

American spokesperson Carlo Bertolini said yesterday evening's flight to Bermuda was scheduled to leave on time.

"The flight conditions for the 7.05 p.m. non-stop flight to Bermuda from Kennedy Airport this evening means it is going to be on schedule," said Mr. Bertolini.

"There are still some cancellations to AA flights, but the majority of flights are back on schedule."

American tries to get "distress"rates at airport hotels for passengers who have been stranded by weather, Mr. Bertolini said.