Dugan
An airline has filed suit against the airport out of which it is attempting to operate, saying it is unable to use one of the two hangars to which it is assigned due to deplorable conditions.
Aaero Aviation Services claims it began offering flights from defendant St. Louis Regional Airport in 2010 after entering into a "Fix Based Operator Lease and Operating Agreement" on March 1, 2010.
According to the terms of the lease, the airport agreed to provide maintenance and repairs to the structures attached to the airport, such as the walkways leading to planes, the suit claims.
However, Aaero claims it is unable to use one of the two hangars it is leasing because of despicable conditions that the airport refuses to maintain. For instance, sliding doors will not seal, which allows outside elements and varmints to enter the hangar, and hangar door guiderails remain in an unsafe condition, according to the complaint filed Feb. 15 in Madison County Circuit Court.
Poor insulation, a leaking roof and holes in the walls of the hangar make it difficult and expensive to heat; customers cannot go to the bathroom because of faulty facilities that are inoperable; and bare wires hang exposed, the suit states.
Other conditions, such as a leaky roof and exterior windows and a roof ridge vent that refuses to close, remain problems for Aaero because St. Louis Regional Airport Authority refuses to correct them, the complaint says.
"As a direct and proximate result of the failure of the Airport to comply with the Lease and/or to maintain the leased premises in a reasonably safe and repaired condition fit for commercial use, the plaintiff has been unable to make safe and commercial use of hangar 17 for the purposes set forth in the said lease," the suit states. "As a further direct and proximate result, the plaintiff, AAS, has been required to perform its operations from Hangar 18 and has lost the use and benefit of Hangar 17."
Due to its inability to provide adequate reception facilities for passengers, Aaero claims it has lost profits.
In its complaint, Aaero is seeking a judgment of at least $50,000 and an order either that the airport has breached its lease or directing the airport to perform the requested repairs. It also is seeking attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.
It will be represented by David W. Dugan of East Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-212.