Weston Aerodrome near Dublin is currently undergoing major redevelopment. Airport manager Ben Bedi told EBAN why the work was taking place now and what it entailed. He said: “Of course, much of the Irish economy has seen enormous growth over recent years, which has arisen from intensified commercial interaction with the UK, mainland Europe and the US.

“Weston Airport is well placed to provide a base for the corporate aviation activity that accompanies the type of commercial development which has occurred and which is expected to continue.”

Bedi described how a first-class hotel, incorporating elaborate conference facilities, is planned at Weston Airport together with crew, hangarage and maintenance facilities, with adequate and secure parking for executive aircraft. The reason for the extension to the airport is to create a base in Ireland for maintenance of aircraft based at Weston and for aircraft from overseas. Previously much of the maintenance of Irish-based aircraft has been ‘exported’ to the UK.

Adding that new hangar space has already been booked for corporate aircraft by seven companies, Bedi said: “The new terminal building will provide a standard of facilities for corporate passengers and crew comparable with any small airport in the UK, Ireland or the US.

Numerous improvements have been made to the infrastructure, including widening of the runway, provision of a control tower, extensive car parking and other facilities.”

The surfaces adjacent to the runway are currently being profiled and plans have been laid to increase the length of the runway and construct a new terminal building and ATC facility. In addition, an application for re-categorisation as CAS Class C airspace has been made to the Irish Aviation Authority.