News / Airport sues council over runway repairs
THE OPERATORS of Shetland’s Sumburgh Airport have been cleared to go ahead with a damages claim against Shetland Islands Council running to almost £15 million.
Scottish government-owned Highlands and Islands Airports are suing the local authority over work carried out to extend one of the airport’s runways.
The two sides agreed a contract in 2005 for the local authority to provide engineering works and other services for the runway extension.
The airport operators accuse Shetland Islands Council of not carrying out the agreed work properly, leaving them with a huge bill for bringing in others to complete the project.
A legal dispute arose because the airport operator raised the action in November 2011 asking a judge to declare that the council was in breach of contract.
Only later did they try to put a figure of £14,210,000 on their loss.
The local authority claimed that fell outside the time limit, which the law imposes on damages claims.
The airport operator said because they first came to court in time – even though they were unable to put a figure on damages at the end of 2011 – the case should go ahead.
On Tuesday morning judge Lady Scott ruled in favour of Highlands and Islands Airports.
Further hearings to decide the final outcome are expected at a later date, which is still to be fixed.
Last summer Scottish first minister Alex Salmond announced £12 million to be spent on repairs to the runway extension during the Cabinet visit to Lerwick.
Brian Horne
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