After an absence of more than a decade, Northwest Airlines returned to Bermuda this weekend with the inaugural flight from Detroit in the United States.

In grand style, complete with a water-arch welcome from the Airport's newest fire truck, the Airbus A320 landed at Bermuda International Airport where its 51 passengers were personally welcomed by the Premier, Alex Scott, Tourism and Transport Minister Ewart Brown, Town Crier Ed Christopher and a handful of Northwest Airline dignitaries. Dr. Brown is pictured greeting one of the younger passengers.

The Saturday flights will operate from now through August 20 and depart Detroit at 10.25 a.m, arriving in Bermuda at 2.42 p.m. and return the same day at 3.50 p.m. to arrive in Detroit at 5.57 p.m.

"This is so exciting," a first-time visitor to the Island said as she and her husband entered the terminal. "Oh my goodness is that the minister?" she asked.

When informed it was in fact the Premier of Bermuda, she promptly stopped to take Mr. Scott's photograph.

Senator Walter Roban was also a passenger on the flight returning from a two-day visit to Detroit. When asked why anyone in Bermuda should visit Detroit, he replied, "the Motown and the motorcars".

But, he said, Detroit also offered a wide variety of sporting and cultural events. "It's a beautiful city with friendly people."

In fact Detroit is not only the motor-city capital of the US, but also a major hub, offering quick, convenient connections to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and many other destinations in the US and Pacific.

Vice president of Airlink, Tom Bach, said Northwest was pleased to add Bermuda to its growing global network.

"This seasonal service will provide a convenient way for our customers throughout the Midwest to enjoy Bermuda's famous beaches and world-class charm. Passengers travelling through our renowned WorldGateway hub at Detroit will find quick and convenient connections to cities throughout the United States and Canada," he said.

The new flights, flight 1978 from Detroit and 1979 from Bermuda, will be operated with Northwest's Airbus A320 which seats 16 passengers in first class and 132 in coach.

Bermuda is the 27th international destination served from the WorldGateway hub in Detroit which offers 1,500 daily departures to some160 destinations and 900 cities.

Dr. Brown said the new Detroit-Bermuda non-stop flight was the beginning of an exciting new partnership. "For the past three years the Government in Bermuda has been working hard with our travel industry partners to increase the number of airline flights and non-stop gateway cities to Bermuda," he said, adding that with Northwest's return Bermuda now enjoyed service by nine airlines - a 50 percent increase in the past two years. The flights are now open for sale at www.nwa.com, through travel agencies in Bermuda or Northwest Airlines Reservations at 1-800-225-2525.

Northwest Airlines Manager of station operations, Ezra Figueroa, sporting a pair of Bermuda shorts, said he and his crew were happy to return to Bermuda. With our world-class golf, tennis and our famous pink sand beaches, Bermuda he said, was one of the hundreds of value-priced vacation package destinations offered by Northwest Airlines World Vacations to American tourists.

Mr. Figueroa added that he felt confident in the success of the service to Bermuda and in expressing his thanks to the Bermuda Government, presented Dr. Brown and Mr. Scott with models of the Airbus A320.