Ireland – Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA), a Cork-based integrated flight training organisation and partner in the Ryanair Future Flyer Academy, hosted Captain Lionel Murphy from Ryanair in late February 2026 as part of its ongoing airline-aligned cadet development programme.

• Captain Murphy met with AFTA’s Ryanair-sponsored cadets, providing operational insights and guidance ahead of their upcoming Type Ratings, reinforcing the transition from ab initio training into airline-standard operations.

• Discussions were held with AFTA’s senior instructors focused on current training standards, operational updates, and maintaining alignment between academy delivery and Ryanair’s evolving operational and recruitment requirements.

Founded in 1995, AFTA has trained more than 2,800 pilots and currently operates a 26-aircraft fleet alongside advanced simulators, including Boeing 737NG and 737 MAX 8200 devices. AFTA maintains long-standing partnerships with major airlines such as Ryanair, Air Astana, VistaJet, ASL Airlines Ireland, and GlobeAir, and collaborates with Munster Technological University (MTU) on academic programmes.

Source: Atlantic Flight Training Academy
Photo Credit: Atlantic Flight Training Academy