Work at the LF Wade International Airport has improved the tracking range of radar systems, and could increase the importance of Bermuda for transatlantic flights.Minister of Transport Terry Lister announced yesterday that the airport’s long-range radar has been recertified with an improved detection range, allowing the airport to track more planes as they pass by the Island.While the old radar system had certified coverage of 180 miles, the updated system now has a certified range of 200 nautical miles, with a tested range as far as 240 nautical miles.The improvements were mentioned by the Minister in his 2011 Budget address, noting that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had agreed to share the costs of the $4.3 million improvements.In a statement yesterday Mr Lister said: “Installed, tested and subsequently certified by the FAA in conjunction with our own highly skilled technicians the system provides for a great improvement in safety of flight, greater accuracy and greatly improved reliability.”Additional modifications could potentially increase detection range as far as 270 miles, increasing the possible certification range.By increasing the range, carriers can take shorter routes to reach Bermudian range, leading to reduced fuel costs.Airport Director Aaron Adderly said the increased range would allow airport staff in Bermuda to track more flights and provide additional information to FAA traffic controllers in New York.“With our radar range now extended, we are able to detect tens of thousands of flights traveling five separate routes,” he said. “These in-flight routes can be considered ‘highways in the sky.’“By extending out to 270 nautical miles, we can pick up as many as eight additional ‘highways.’”