Turbulence – The Story of Ryanair, this week on RTÉ One

Turbulence – The Story of Ryanair, a two-part series telling the 40-year climb of Ryanair’s ascension from a single route airline to a giant of European aviation, airs on RTÉ One on Monday 16 March and Monday 23 March at 9.35pm.

Featuring insiders, commentators and former staff, the series lifts the lid on the extraordinary story of the airline brand we all love to hate.

Part 1 tells the origin story of Ryanair, a scrappy endeavour that challenged the protected state carrier, Aer Lingus, to bring affordable aviation to the masses.

We see how Ryanair went from a single turbo prop plane airline co-founded by Christy Ryan and aviation mogul Tony Ryan, to changing European travel forever.

The documentary follows the ruthlessness and unique Irish grit it took to build the firm.

Part 2 looks at how Ryanair becomes the loudest story in global aviation, now led by CEO Michael O’Leary, who uses sharp accounting and sharper elbows to navigate the airline through endless battles.

Through brazen advertising and savvy deal-making, Ryanair has become more notorious for its friction than its fares.

O’Leary’s focus on efficiency seeps through every bolt of the business. The airline is transformed from being on the brink of failure to a profit machine.

Featuring contributors including the son and daughter of Christy Ryan, Jenny and Justin Ryan, and a former pilot and cabin crew from the early days, the documentary also features former Aer Lingus chairman Colm Barrington, former owner of Aer Arann Pádraig Ó Céidigh, Ryanair’s former head of social media Michael Corcoran, journalist and author Matt Cooper, broadcaster Ivan Yates, and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern among others.

Turbulence explores the impact of Ryanair on a changing Ireland and – in the face of unpredictable crises like 9/11, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis – considers what is in store for the future of air travel.

• The first episode of Turbulence – The Story of Ryanair airs on RTÉ One on Monday 16 March at 9.35pm. Both episodes will be available to stream on RTÉ Player from later night. The second episode airs on RTÉ One at 9.35pm on Monday 23 March.