Bermuda-based airline BermudAir is facing legal action from airport operator Skyport over claims it has fallen “substantially behind” on payments for airport charges — with arrears reportedly running into the millions, according to Royal Gazette.
According to a statement from Skyport, the operator of LF Wade International Airport, the company has been trying to resolve the matter privately for more than a year. But with no resolution, it has now turned to the courts.
“After unsuccessfully attempting to work with BermudAir for over a year, Skyport has been forced to initiate a legal process to recover the significant owing balance and ensure payment going forward,” a spokeswoman for the company said.
The lawsuit, filed on July 11 by Wakefield Quinn on behalf of Bermuda Skyport Corporation Ltd, lists BermudAir Ltd as the respondent.
Skyport claims the airline has been collecting airport charges — fees required under the Bermuda Airport Authority Act 2017 — but failing to remit them. These fees are typically collected from passengers and are meant to cover the use of airport facilities and services.
“BermudAir has been collecting these charges for an extended period of time and not paying them over to Skyport,” the statement read. It added that the company had extended roughly $700,000 in fee concessions to BermudAir during its startup phase.
The outstanding balance is said to have grown significantly in the past two weeks — peak summer travel season — since the filing of the legal writ.
In response, BermudAir acknowledged it was working through “a number of commercial issues” with Skyport and expressed hope for an amicable resolution.
“We remain confident that a resolution will be reached in the coming weeks as we have been engaging constructively and in good faith with the Skyport team,” a BermudAir spokeswoman said.
However, the airline criticized Skyport for making the issue public, calling the move “unfortunate.”
“It is unfortunate that Skyport has chosen to publicly comment on a confidential commercial matter, which we believe is best handled through direct and professional dialogue,” the statement continued.
BermudAir, which launched in September 2023, has expanded rapidly. Starting with two aircraft serving Boston and Westchester, the carrier has since doubled its fleet and added routes to Toronto, Halifax, Charleston, Orlando, Richmond, Baltimore and Montreal.
The airline also recently announced the launch of AnguillAir, a new brand offering flights between Boston, Baltimore, and Anguilla starting in December.
Despite the legal dispute, BermudAir emphasized its role as a privately funded Bermudian enterprise committed to boosting tourism and economic growth.
