short-staffed immigration officers struggled to cope when four flights arrived at one time.

A spokesman for the airport said several officers were off on sympathy leave after recent bereavements.

He said: "One plane was delayed so we had four airplanes on the ground which is not normal. The planes all came at the same time.

"We can process about 800 passengers in an hour with a full compliment but with three or four officers off it cuts back on how quickly you can process passengers.

"We had about 450 passengers in the arrival hall but it was cleared by 2 p.m.'' And he said the backlog only lasted around 45 minutes.

A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Public Servants Association said the officer shortage was not a "sick out''.

She said: "This is definitely not due to any industrial action.'' AIRPORT FLY TOURISTS TOURISM TOU