ENTREPRENEUER John Collison is among a group of investors who have bought Weston Airport in Dublin.
Tipperary-born Mr Collison, who founded the global payments giant Stripe - now valued at close to $100bn – with his older brother Patrick in 2010, is a self-confessed aviation enthusiast.
The group of investors who have bought the airport, which is largely used for flight training and is home to a number of flight clubs, is reportedly led by Limerick-based financier Derick Walshe, and also includes John Brennan, Catherine Greene and Gerald Dundon.
The Currency reports that the investors plan to upgrade the facilities at the airport, which is located between Leixlip and Lucan.
The deal is subject to the completion of due diligence and regulatory consents. Details of the transaction were revealed in the Currency.
The consortium’s investment is expected to see upgrades to the airport’s bar, restaurant and conference facilities, with additional improvements due to be made to the terminal, aircraft storage and hangar areas.
All current staff at the airport, which was established in 1931, will be retained under the agreement.
“Our plans are to invest in and upgrade the existing aviation and non-aviation facilities and to create a destination that is open and welcoming to the local community,” Mr Walshe said.
