Weston airport plans approved to upgrade terminal facilities

THE operator of Weston airport has received planning permission for an upgrade in terminal facilities at the airport.

Weston Aviation Academy Ltd has secured the go-ahead from South Dublin County Council after Stripe co-founder, John Collison, and a group of investors purchased a majority stake in the business.

In documentation lodged with the application, senior planner at Tom Phillips + Associates, Bernard Dwyer, told the council that following the purchase of Weston Airport and the adjacent National Flight Centre in 2021, “the current operators are seeking to modernise and enhance the existing airport facilities.”

“The current proposed upgrades are being sought to create a more coherent unified facility with improved linkages between the various buildings,” said Dwyer.

Mr Dwyer stated the proposed improvements to the entrance and the inclusion of the arrivals and departure vestibules “are intended to create a more coherent and rational layout to the ground floor building”.

Mr Dwyer further stated the proposed ancillary cafe and seating area is intended to complement the existing restaurant and bar facilities at first-floor level, and the proposal “will enhance the operational efficiency as well as the safety and security of Weston airport.”

The planning submission states that the National Flight Centre at Weston is one of Europe’s oldest and most respected flight academies.

The existing flight training centre is located in a hangar building located close to the terminal building and a “proposed covered walkway between the two buildings will allow for greater comfort for individual travelling between the two buildings.”

No objections were lodged in the planning process.

Council planners determined the project would not have an adverse impact of the residential enmity of the nearest dwellings.

The latest accounts for Weston Aviation Academy Ltd show that it made a loss of €121,650 in the year to June 30, 2021, due to covid air travel restrictions.

It had a shareholders’ deficit of just under €2.67m at the year-end.

The accounts state that the airport has “traded successfully” since re-opening.

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