London, July 12 - 'Die Hard' star Bruce Willis has been slammed by local residents over his plans to build an airport near his ski resort in Idaho, US.

The actor is to rebuild his ski lodge, called the Soldier Mountain resort, which was destroyed by fire earlier this year and also intends to build a private airport near the small town of Hailey, where he moved nearly 20 years ago, reports imdb.com.

Residents close by are, however, criticising the 54-year-old for jeopardising expansion plans for Hailey's own airfield, Friedman Memorial.

Both Willis and managers of the town's official airport want to build 8,000-feet runways, but an aviation expert insists the airfields will be too close together.

'The authorities will have to rule which is the safest. Friedman has a solid record but it is boxed into canyons. Willis carries a big stick and offers fresh employment opportunities,' said the expert.

It's not the first time Willis has faced problems over his property. In the 1990s he was sued by two builders over unpaid bills. The case was settled out of court.