Ryanair’s Rise: A Modern Documentary Explores the Airline’s Turbulent History
A new RTÉ documentary, Turbulence: The Story of Ryanair, is set to air on Monday, March 16, 2026, offering an inside glance at the origins of the low-cost airline and the strategies that transformed air travel in Ireland and across Europe. The documentary features personal stories from those involved in Ryanair’s early days, alongside expert commentary on its marketing and the leadership of CEO Michael O’Leary.
The Founding of Ryanair and Christy Ryan’s Role
The documentary highlights the central role of Christy Ryan, a co-founder of Ryanair, in the airline’s formation. Ryan, along with Tony Ryan and Liam Lonergan, were instrumental in establishing Ireland’s first low-fare airline. Christy Ryan served as the airline’s first managing director, playing a pivotal role in its early development.
Born in 1936 in Kilsheelan, County Tipperary, Christy Ryan began his aviation career with Aer Lingus in 1956 at Shannon Airport as a traffic assistant. It was at Shannon that he met Tony Ryan, and the two formed a close friendship that lasted over 30 years. Despite sharing a surname, the two Ryans were not related.
Early Operations and Growth
Early operations included a route linking Waterford with London. According to an RTÉ archive report, after just two weeks of operation, the Waterford-London route was carrying twice the number of passengers originally projected. The service, utilizing a 15-seat aircraft, aimed to attract business travelers and stimulate investment in the Waterford region. Ryanair planned to expand the route with additional trips and a Sunday service.
Documentary Details
Turbulence: The Story of Ryanair will air on RTÉ One and be available on the RTÉ Player on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 9:35 PM. The documentary likewise features contributions from Christy Ryan’s daughter, who is based in Kilkenny.
Christy Ryan’s Legacy
Christy Ryan passed away in 2007. He is remembered as a key figure in the establishment and early success of Ryanair, Ireland’s pioneering low-fare airline.