Court of Appeal rules in favour of Airport

Today the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by the Craigie Trust against a High Courtjudgment of June 2008, which had ruled in favour of Auckland Airport and held that the CraigieTrust’s claim rightly failed.

This decision confirms the view of Auckland Airport that the claim was without merit and theoriginal High Court decision was entirely appropriate.

Auckland Airport will defend any appeal to the Supreme Court if such an appeal is filed.

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Background

Auckland Airport received notice in September 2006 from the Craigie Trust of a claim regarding certain land acquired for airport uses during the 1970s. The land in question is 36.4 hectares, asmall proportion of Auckland Airport's total land holding. The Craigie Trust, as original owner of theland on which is situated vital airport infrastructure such as roads and electricity networks, assertedthat the land is now surplus to airport requirements and should be offered back to it under thePublic Works Act 1981. In June 2008 the High Court dismissed the claim, ruling in favour ofAuckland Airport