passengers as a British Airways flight which was delayed for nearly five hours in London yesterday due to mechnical difficulties. The Boeing 777 had 176 people onboard, including 50 UK and European journalists and tour operators who had been invited on a special tour of the Island.

BA general manager Philip Troake said the plane, which is one of the newest aircraft in the fleet, was held up on the ground at London Gatwick while engine problems were sorted out.

Flight BA 2233 was due in to arrive in Bermuda at 5.55 p.m. after a scheduled departure from Britain at 2.30 p.m. It finally took off at 6.55 p.m. and was expected to arrive at 10.40 p.m.

BA spokesman Sallie Singleton said it was very unlucky that the flight had been delayed, but added: "The number one priority for British Airways is safety, nothing else comes first.'' AIRLINES AIRPORT FLY