Airline Flight Academy (AFA) has announced a significant milestone in its continued growth and partnership with Ryanair, having successfully trained over 1,000 Ryanair Future Flyer Academy cadets since commencing operations over 5 years ago.
AFA has rapidly established itself as a leading provider of advanced pilot training, demonstrating resilience, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Today, the academy stands as the largest provider of APS MCC (Airline Pilot Standard Multi-Crew Cooperation) training in Europe, both independently and as a strategic training partner to Ryanair.
Operating from its purpose-built flight training and simulator centre in Santry, AFA delivers world-class APS MCC programmes designed to equip aspiring pilots with the operational skills required for modern airline environments. Ryanair cadets complete their APS MCC training at this state-of-the-art facility, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with the best airline standards.
AFA’s reach extends across Europe and the United Kingdom, working closely with a wide network of approved flight training schools to identify and prepare high-calibre candidates. The academy has welcomed students from over 40 nationalities, with key markets including France, Italy, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Portugal.
In addition to its Ryanair-focused training pathway, AFA also offers Whitetail APS MCC programmes, supporting non-Ryanair cadets and commercial pilot trainees as they complete their final stage of flight training and prepare for airline careers.
Kilian Hanratty, Commercial Manager at Airline Flight Academy, commented: “We’re proud to have trained over 1,000 Ryanair Future Flyer Academy cadets in just five years, a milestone driven by expert instructors, exceptional training, and strong partnerships. As pilot demand grows, AFA is at the heart of Ryanair’s expansion. With over 600 aircraft in its fleet and 300 more on the way, the airline’s “Decade of Growth” is accelerating the need for highly skilled pilots. Working in close collaboration with Ryanair and supported by strategic partnerships with leading universities and flight schools across Europe, AFA continues to deliver a steady pipeline of airline-ready talent, committed to innovation, safety, and excellence in pilot training.”
Ryanair’s Head of Crew Training Captain, Paul Kelly said: “Ryanair’s long-standing partnership with Airline Flight Academy has played a pivotal role in the success of our Future Flyer Academy programme over the past five years. Reaching the milestone of training more than 1,000 cadets is a testament to the consistently high training standards delivered by AFA and the strength of our collaboration. As Ryanair continues to expand its operations and grow its fleet, securing a pipeline of highly skilled, well-trained pilots remains a top priority. AFA is a key training partner in supporting the development of future Ryanair pilots as we further scale across our European network.”
Pictured Above: Jake McComish, Ryanair Assistant Pilot Recruitment Manager (far Left); Robert Bourke, Ryanair Pilot Assessor (far Left 2nd); Angelo Currao, Ryanair Head of Pilot Recruitment (centre); Kilian Hanratty, AFA Commercial Manager (centre) along with the latest APC MCC class at AFA.
