Proposal to alter Weston airport and add hangars

DEVELOPER AND hotelier Jim Mansfield is planning to redevelop the runway and build new hangars at the executive jet airport his group owns in Dublin.

The Mansfield Group will lodge a planning application this week to change the layout of the main runway at Weston airport in west Dublin.

The change will result in aircraft that currently take off to the east of the airport taking off further to the west, giving them greater clearance when they fly over residential areas in the airport's facility.

The group intends holding public information meetings later this month to outline its plans.

According to airport manager Paul Mullins, the change will not result in the runway being lengthened or allowing it take larger craft.

The group is also planning to add to the existing hangars at the airport, which it maintains are needed to boost security and safety there.

The Mansfield Group took over Weston in 2002, and has spent €65 million there in the intervening six years.

The airfield is largely used by executive jets, helicopters and other small aircraft. It is also used for flight training.

The Mansfield Group is looking at developing a maintenance facility there.

Most Irish private aircraft are serviced outside of the country, despite the growth in their numbers over the last decade.

The group believes that its planned move could create 200 jobs.

Weston is part of the overall Mansfield Group, which includes Citywest hotel and golf complex, Finnstown House hotel and the PGA national golf course at Palmerstown House in Kildare.

An Bord Pleanála recently gave the go-ahead for a conference centre at Citywest, ending a four-year planning battle.