Budget carrier Tiger Airways says its Singapore unit has been awarded S$4.7 million in a lawsuit against airport ground handler, Swissport Singapore.

Tiger was awarded the damages for Swissport's breach of contract.

The amount is the full sum claimed by Tiger for damages incurred as a result of Swissport's premature termination of its ground handling agreement with Tiger.

In January last year, Swissport informed Tiger that it was unilaterally terminating its ground handling service agreement with effect from April 2009.

The termination is about two years earlier than the stated expiration date of the agreement, after Swissport made a decision to withdraw from the Singapore market.

Tiger then brought the case to the High Court of Singapore, which ruled in favour of Tiger and ordered Swissport to pay damages.

Following hearings to assess damages, the Court has awarded the full claim to Tiger.

The carrier says once the money is received, it will be recognized in the airline's financial accounts.