Heathrow maintained their passenger traffic projection of 84.2 million for 2025
FILE PHOTO: A member of the public waits in the arrivals hall at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport in London, Britain, December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Alishia Abodunde/File Photo
International news via Reuters:
Britain’s Heathrow Airport raised its annual revenue expectations on Friday following better-than-expected demand for long-haul flights amid rebounding leisure demand.
The airport, the busiest hub in Europe, expects to clock 3.61 billion pounds ($4.96 billion) of annual revenues in 2025, above prior estimates of 3.57 billion pounds.
While easing inflation and living costs have stimulated a recovery in travel demand, ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties in the Middle East and the United States have made the market more challenging for leisure companies.
Heathrow said it saw some early signs of softness on business-heavy routes, but linked it to economic uncertainty rather than geopolitical reasons.
It expects higher passenger movements and increasing aircraft sizes to drive more capacity and new direct routes to stimulate additional demand for the rest of the year.
Heathrow maintained their passenger traffic projection of 84.2 million for 2025, a slight improvement over last year’s numbers.
However, costs for the airport are also slated to increase this year, on rising expenses due to increased security demands, additional service mitigations and higher contractual costs from national insurance.
Heathrow expects adjusted operating costs to rise to 1.63 billion pounds in 2025, up 7.2% over 2024 and an increase of 17 million pounds versus its December investor report.
($1 = 0.7280 pounds)
Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Mrigank Dhaniwala
Field agents from Washington D.C. and New York confirm financial cybercrime is on the rise
Cybercrime is on an upward trajectory, with the United States alone experiencing a 33% increase in cybercrime-related losses in 2024 compared to the year before. Many of these offences are cross-border in nature, requiring multilateral partnerships at the local, regional, and national level.
The United States Secret Service are in Bermuda this week to lead a number of workshops on the matter, providing training to the Bermuda Police Service’s financial crimes unit.
Joined by U.S. Consul General Antoinette Hurtado and Governor Andrew Murdoch, Patrick Freaney—Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s New York field office—reaffirmed the importance of keeping up to speed on technological developments in the digital sphere.
“In 2024 in the United States alone there was $9.3 billion dollars in loss associated with cryptocurrency—financial crime is global, and that’s why this type of training is so important. To share best practices and lessons learned, it helps the global law enforcement community provide the best service to the communities they serve.”
Kali Smith, an Administrative Professional, and Technical program manager in the U.S. Secret Service’s Cyber Operations Section of the Criminal Investigative Division says that cryptocurrency scams are not victimless crimes, encouraging members of the public who find themselves on the receiving end of a cyber offence to step forward and speak up.
“With cyber infrastructure, oftentimes the victim has been socially-engineered, they have no control over the matter, so victims sometimes think that they did something wrong or that they could have prevented this when that’s often not the case at all.”
You can watch the televised interview with U.S. Consul General Antoinette Hurtado, Governor Andrew Murdoch, Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels, and the U.S. Secret Service’s Kali Smith and Patrick Freaney, below:
Football: Bermuda international’s team’s Finnish Cup bid ends with penalty shootout loss
Bermudian international Djair Parfitt and his FC Haka teammates saw their Finnish Cup journey come to a dramatic end in the quarter-finals, falling to Kuopion Palloseura after a tense penalty shootout. The match finished 1-1 after regular time, but it was the visitors who held their nerve to advance to the semi-finals.
Kuopion Palloseura made an early breakthrough when Saku Savolainen headed in Petteri Pennanen’s precise cross in the 12th minute. However, FC Haka, with Parfitt in the squad, responded well and found their deserved equaliser in the 33rd minute. Following a free-kick and a delivery from Jordan Houston, Mikael Almen powerfully headed the ball into the net to level the score at 1-1.
The second half saw no further goals, setting the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout. The shootout quickly turned sour for FC Haka. Oskari Sallinen was first up for Haka, but his shot was saved by Kuopion Palloseura’s goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl. Mikael Almen and Arlind Sejdiu then also saw their efforts from a similar angle denied by the Austrian stopper.
In contrast, Ibrahim Cisse, Arttu Heinonen, and Agon Sadiku all successfully converted their penalties for Kuopion Palloseura. Their clinical finishing meant that FC Haka’s cup run concluded at the quarter-final stage, a disappointing end for Parfitt and his teammates.
Harness racing driver Kiwon Waldron had a busy and consistent night at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, securing third-place finishes in both of his qualifying races.
Waldron’s first race of the evening came in RACE 3, a Trot Class event. He was in the bike of Sunny Sundries, guiding the horse to a third-place finish with a time of 1 minute and 57 seconds flat (1:57.0).
Later, in RACE 6, also a Trot Class contest, Waldron partnered with Bos Taurus. The pair crossed the line in 2 minutes, 1 and two-fifths seconds (2:01&2), again earning a respectable third-place finish.
While these were qualifying heats – non-pari-mutuel races designed to ensure horses and drivers are fit and ready for competitive racing – Waldron’s consistent top-three placings demonstrate his ongoing form and active participation on the competitive Hoosier Park circuit.
Bermudian golfer Tracy Burgess has concluded her campaign at the 123rd Women’s North & South Amateur Championships, held at the prestigious Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, missing the cut after a demanding two rounds of stroke play.
Burgess, competing against a strong international field on one of golf’s most revered courses, found the going tough in her second round, posting a 35-over par 107. After starting on the front nine and turning at twenty-seven-over, she showed a slight improvement on the back nine, carding an additional eight-over.
Her scorecard for the day reflected the difficult conditions and the challenging nature of the course, including just three pars. Unfortunately, her round was significantly hampered by seven bogeys, one double bogey, two triple bogeys, and five quintuple bogeys.
Combined with her opening round of 95, Burgess’s total score placed her outside the cut line for the match play stage of the tournament. While the result was not what she had hoped for, competing in such a high-calibre amateur event at a venue like Pinehurst No. 7 provides invaluable experience for the Bermudian golfer as she continues to develop her game.
The Ker 50, ‘Redwood’, skippered by Beverly Yacht Club member Pike Severance, has crossed the finish line of the Marion Bermuda Race off St. David’s Head this morning at 7:13 am local time. They completed the challenging race with an elapsed sailing time of 4 days, 18 hours, 33 minutes, and 42 seconds.
In predominantly light breeze conditions, ‘Redwood’s’ strategic decision to chase the wind, even though it meant sailing a longer distance of 704 total nautical miles compared to the rhumb line of 645 NM, ultimately paid off, enabling them to be the first to finish.
Meanwhile, the Wednesday Night Sailing Series continued its thrilling run with Race Day 11 on Hamilton Harbour and the Great Sound. “Airforce” emerged victorious on corrected time, proving that raw speed isn’t always enough.
“Crossfire” was the first boat to physically cross the finish line with an elapsed time of 1 hour, 1 minute, and 50 seconds. However, after handicaps were applied, their corrected time of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 12 seconds saw them finish fourth. “Airforce” crossed the line second on elapsed time at 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 58 seconds, but their superior corrected time of 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 13 seconds secured them the win. “Passion” finished third with a corrected time of 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 45 seconds, while “Back in Black” rounded out the top five with 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 14 seconds.
Jared Pearman played a “pivotal role in spearheading key cloud implementations”
Premier David Burt: “Mr Pearman has set a high standard in leading change initiatives in the public service.” Photo supplied
Press release: The Government of Bermuda is pleased to announce that Jared Pearman of the Department of Information and Digital Technologies (IDT) is the recipient of the May Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA). Mr Pearman, in his role as a Systems Engineer, is recognised for exemplary leadership and successful efforts to advance the Government’s digital transformation. He is commended for his pivotal role in spearheading key cloud implementations over the past month. This initiative has significantly strengthened the resilience of the Government’s infrastructure and cybersecurity posture. The Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, said, “Having witnessed Jared’s work over the years, I congratulate him for his leadership and mentorship. Jared is a great person and a great public officer who is very involved in his community. He is certainly deserving of this award.” Mr Pearman’s contributions have had far-reaching impacts across the whole public service. His expertise in cloud architecture, combined with his proactive approach to implementation and troubleshooting, has driven measurable improvements in operational efficiency, employee productivity, and IT cost savings. “Mr Pearman has set a high standard in leading change initiatives in the public service,” said Head of the Public Service,Cherie Whitter. “His deep technical acumen and commitment to public service are exemplary, and we’re proud to celebrate his achievements.” Mr Pearman said, “I’m grateful for this award. We’ve been doing a lot of work at IDT to improve our systems and to keep things running smoothly. I’m very thankful for this recognition.”
We get to know some of the competitors heading to Dockyard this weekend
An exciting night of combat sports is lined up for this weekend under the title ‘Fight Night Champion: Bermuda vs. Jamaica.’ The event takes place on Saturday, June 28, in the Victualling Yard in Dockyard.
Fight Night Champion is an annual event that started in 2022 to showcase Bermuda’s growing talent in boxing, kickboxing, and martial arts. It brings together local fighters and international contenders in a celebration of skill and national pride.
The main event features Bermuda’s undefeated cruiserweight fighter Saundre “Dash” Simmons facing off against Jamaica’s Ian “Impact” Darby. The fight card also includes other professional boxers and rising kickboxing stars from the Bermuda Sanshou Association.
Our Kendal Trott sat down with some of the fighters ahead of the big night. Here’s part one of a series of interviews.
Flights to Anguilla from Boston and Baltimore begin this winter
BermudAir issued the following media release.
BermudAir today announced the launch of AnguillAir, a groundbreaking new brand and the airline’s first major expansion beyond Bermuda to Anguilla, a sister British Overseas Territory.
With flights to Anguilla from Boston and Baltimore beginning this December, AnguillAir signals a powerful new era in Caribbean connectivity—one driven by BermudAir’s signature island hospitality and its vision to link island communities in meaningful and lasting ways.
Launching December 19, 2025, BermudAir will offer flights from Boston and Baltimore, directly to Anguilla—its first scheduled destination outside of Bermuda, and a first for the airline’s growing footprint in the Caribbean region.
“This is more than a new route—it’s a reflection of what BermudAir was built to do: strengthen island connections, deliver extraordinary service, and create lasting economic value for Bermuda and beyond,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “We’re proud that, because of the support of Bermudians and the growth in tourism demand, we are now able to extend our reach and share our island hospitality with Anguilla.”
The new route comes after a year of consistent progress for the airline, which has played a key role in restoring air service, generating demand, and supporting Bermuda’s tourism and economy in tangible figures. BermudAir has also opened new avenues of access for Bermudians, families, and businesses traveling to and from the U.S. East Coast and Canada.
Hon. Jose Vanterpool, Anguilla’s Minister of Infrastructure, remarked, “The reopening of the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport marks a pivotal moment for Anguilla’s economic future. Our agreement with BermudAir to launch nonstop service from the U.S. Northeast is a crucial first step. To support long-term, sustainable growth, we are pursuing a phased, demand-driven expansion plan, which includes extending the runway to accommodate larger aircraft and increased passenger and cargo volumes.”
Anguilla’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Cardigan Connor added, “BermudAir’s new direct flights from key U.S. markets – Boston and Baltimore – constitute a significant advancement for our tourism industry. As our accommodation offerings grow, reliable and convenient air access from these strategic gateways is essential to maintaining momentum and further developing Anguilla as a premier destination”.
BermudAir’s new Anguilla service will operate during the winter season, connecting travellers with one of the Caribbean’s most refined and peaceful destinations. Known for its pristine beaches,boutique resorts, and exclusive atmosphere, Anguilla offers a natural complement to BermudAir’s premium inflight experience.
The launch also marks the debut of AnguillAir—a new branded aircraft and market expansion that will operate as part of BermudAir’s vision. With its own identity and design, AnguillAir represents the first step in a broader strategy to innovate and grow in what will become the beginning of the new chapter in BermudAir’s long-term growth trajectory.
Flight service includes:
Baltimore (BWI) → Anguilla (AXA)
Boston (BOS) → Anguilla (AXA)
This expansion builds on BermudAir’s continued growth since launching in September 2023. The updated schedule will see service to Providence suspended and Fort Lauderdale adjusted to operate as a winter-only route.
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com.
It will take place at Cathedral Hall on July 2 at 12:30 pm
The below media release was submitted by Glenn Fubler.
“Injustice Anywhere, is a Threat to Justice Everywhere”
This quote from Martin Luther King, captures the reality of our interconnected Human Family.
On the evening of June 26, 1959, after 10 days of the peaceful Theatre Boycott, the Grapevine was buzzing with great news. That Friday afternoon many hotel workers were informed by managers, that segregation in the Front of the House, was ended.
This historic news was confirmed in Monday -29/6/59 – media reports quoting the Bermuda Hotel Owner’s Association. Theatre Owners immediately followed suit.
Those engaged in that People’s success in 1959 – like those in the year-long Montgomery Bus Boycott – had precedents in the 1955 grassroots action in faraway South Africa
In more challenging circumstances, four years earlier – June 26, 1955 – 3,000 diverse South Africans came together for many hours and democratically fashioned an iconic document. That “People’s Congress” named their document; the Freedom Charter.
Before concluding, scores of South African Police attacked the gathering, arresting many activists and 156 of them were prosecuted in the infamous Treason Trial.
Global solidarity has led to successfully ending Slavery and challenging Segregation/Apartheid and other manifestations of inequality, around the Planet.
July 2, 2025 will mark the 66th Anniversary of the success of the Theatre Boycott. On July 2, 1959 all Bermudians could freely choose their seats in cinemas, affirming their essential Humanity. After 350 years, this people’s movement Opened Bermuda, creating a paradigm shift and that ‘domino’ eventually led to democracy for All.
Employing the theme ‘Open Hearts and Open Minds’ we are leveraging this legacy to promote awareness to benefit ourselves personally, communally and enhance global perspectives. Reminded to Open Hearts; we especially focus on those most challenged – such as those in Gaza who have been suffering Apartheid for decades.
We will be celebrating this 66th Anniversary in two ways:
· There will be an Interactive Gathering at Cathedral Hall on Wed. July 2nd between 12.30 – 1.30 on the theme. Those attending will break out into smaller groups to facilitate participation, encouraged to share insights from both personal experience and communal involvement.
· At Habour Nights – July 2nd , a short, entertaining Skit highlighting the legacy of the Boycott and leveraging the theme; will occur between 7 – 7.40 pm.
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