Krangler om regningen etter milliardsprekk: – Helt ko-ko

Avinor claims a cost overrun of between 1 and 1.5 billion kroner for two new airports in the north. Now, Avinor, Forsvarets Bygg, the state, and airlines are arguing over who should foot the bill. Avinor is responsible for building and operating airports in Norway, and it believes that the revised needs from the military have cost the new airport in Bodø hundreds of millions of kroner extra.

"We think it's outrageous that civil aviation should pick up the tab," says Avinor's Chief Executive, Anders Kirsebom, on Monday. He is leading the airport projects and is concerned about the situation with the military and relevant departments. Forsvarets Bygg has received a demand from Avinor but says it will not assume a larger share of the bill for now.

"Avinor has not yet documented any evidence that the presence of the military in Bodø has led to unforeseen costs for Avinor," says Tor Erichsen Øverland, a district commander in Forsvarets Bygg, in an e-mail to E24. If Forsvarets Bygg or the state don't step up, Avinor will have to find a way to cover the costs. Avinor's income mainly comes from fees and commercial operations at the airports.

This means Avinor might have to set new fees for the airlines that use the airports. Erik Lahnstein, the Managing Director of NHO Luftfart, which represents SAS and Norwegian airlines, says the amount could reach 170 million kroner. NHO Luftfart represents both SAS and Norwegian airlines. If the fees for using the airports rise, airlines have the choice between absorbing the profit or passing the bill to customers.

Lahnstein hopes the bill will end up with the military or the state, and not with the airlines. "It's unheard of that passengers flying from Kirkenes to Oslo should have to pay for activities that the military is doing in Bodø," he says. The new airport in Bodø is being built 900 meters from the old one. Originally, the military was not supposed to be present after the relocation.

However, this changed as the security situation in the world has evolved. The Ministry for Transport says Avinor must cover increased costs initially, but it also points to the military. "The military should pay its share of this, but it's not yet clear how much it will be," the department writes in an e-mail to E24. Minister Kamzy Gunaratnam told Avisa Nordland that she expects Avinor to figure out how to limit the cost overrun.

"And I know that new security requirements and other requirements, including those related to the defense sector, have contributed to increasing costs," she said. When asked about financing issues, she said she will return to them if necessary.