By Sandra O'Connell, Irish Times

Ireland needs to continue incubating aviation industry talent. That's why there are now a number of courses at third level and beyond including, most recently, UCD Smurfit School’s new Professional Diploma in Aviation Finance. Photograph: iStock

DCU’s Ryan Academy is named after the late Tony Ryan and focuses on teaching business to students. But Ireland’s success in aircraft leasing is also referred to as the “Ryan Academy”, at least within the industry.

It’s an homage to the entrepreneur’s outsized and lasting influence on the sector he invented, as founder of pioneering Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) and, subsequently, Ryanair. As well as having been an astute businessman he is remembered as an unparalleled incubator of talent.

Because of his legacy, not alone is Ireland a world leader in aircraft finance, but Irish people have succeeded at top level across the wider aviation industry worldwide.

First appeared on the IrishTimes.com on January 25th, 2024. Read the full article here.