6 June 2023
Swansea Council appears to have at last decided to end its lease agreement with the current operator of Swansea Airport after a confidential 77-page report was discussed at the end of May.
We say “appears” because local media is quoting a statement by the Council issued after the meeting – which happened behind closed doors and with all public access to the minutes of the meeting remaining confidential after councillors and officials decided to maintain secrecy.
Pilots based at the airport, visitors and local businesses have been dismayed at the current operator’s reluctance to maintain the airport’s facilities and infrastructure, resulting in the CAA suspending its licence.
The statement quoted by Wales Online said, “A range of issues with the council’s tenant, Swansea Airport Ltd, have arisen over recent years. This has resulted in engagement with its tenant and other interested stakeholders in order to try to secure a viable and sustainable operation for the future.
“The issues at the airport escalated this year with the involvement of the Civil Aviation Authority who identified concerns with aspects of the tenant’s operations.
“As a consequence, the council has explored – and will continue to do so – all options for a viable and sustainable operation at the site.
“As part of that process, it was resolved at a cabinet meeting on May 30 to take steps towards legal action for the breaches of the tenant’s current obligations and to seek to end the Swansea Airport Ltd lease.
“In the absence of an appropriate agreement being reached with Swansea Airport Ltd, this legal process is likely to require court proceedings to achieve that outcome which, if successful, may take a period of time to conclude.
“In its dealings with the airport and reaching this cabinet decision, the council has at all times had the interests of all users of the airport, the wider community and health and safety considerations at the forefront of its strategy.”
Flight schools and other general aviation activities at the airport are continuing.
