Weekend costs row threatens airport hours

Dundee Airport’s owners are locked in a legal dispute with a flying school over who should pay fire fighters and security staff at the weekend.

Highlands and islands Airports (HIAL) has told Tayside Aviation that they must now pay £4,250 a month for the wages bill to keep the transport hub open on a Saturday.

However, the flying school, which trains the next generation of RAF cadets, has warned that paying out an extra £51,000 a year could force them out of business.

HIAL has demanded the so-called “weekend user” charges because there are no scheduled commercial flights on Saturdays, just Sunday to Friday.

Private jets also use the airport at the weekend and Welsh singer Tom Jones landed there before performing at Dundee’s Slessor Gardens in July.

Tayside Aviation’s managing director, Jim Watt, said: “Having taken legal advice, it is our stance that the weekend charges are neither fair nor reasonable.

“Tayside Aviation can’t afford to find an additional £5,000 per month without it having a significant effect on jobs.”

Mr Watt estimates the business is worth upwards of £1.5 million a year to the local economy.

HIAL has threatened to close the airport on Saturdays if Tayside Aviation does not pay.

A HIAL spokesperson said: “HIAL looks to support business within our local communities wherever possible. Tayside Aviation is a valued customer, however as a publicly owned organisation HIAL must ensure taxpayers’ money is used to deliver best value.

“We are unable to underwrite a commercial business and require to recover the costs incurred in opening the airport at weekends.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “This is a contractual matter between Tayside Aviation and HIAL.”