“Weston Airport Receives Permission for Terminal Building Upgrade After John Collison Buys Majority Stake”

Weston Airport, located on the Dublin-Kildare border and owned by Weston Aviation Academy Ltd, has been granted permission by South Dublin County Council to upgrade its terminal buildings. The decision was made after John Collison, co-founder of Stripe, and a group of investors purchased a majority stake in the business. The proposed upgrades involve modernizing and enhancing existing airport facilities, creating a more coherent and unified facility with improved linkages between the various buildings. The upgrades to the entrance and the addition of arrivals and departure vestibules will provide a more coherent and rational layout to the ground floor building. Additionally, a proposed covered walkway between the hangar and terminal building will allow for greater comfort for individuals traveling between the two buildings. The National Flight Centre at Weston is considered one of Europe’s oldest and most respected flight academies, and the proposed development will enhance the operational efficiency, safety, and security of Weston Airport. No objections were lodged against the upgrade, and the council’s planning report found that the project would not have an adverse impact on the residential amenity of the nearest dwellings, which are approximately 550m to the east of the site. Despite making a loss of €121,650 in the year to June 30th, 2021, due to COVID-19 air travel restrictions, the accounts state that Weston Aviation Academy Ltd has traded successfully since reopening.