Boeing 737204, EI-CJF (c/n 22967) departing Manchester in 2003 was the fourth 737 to join Ryanair – it came from Boeing via Britannia Airways and remained in service until March 1994, after which the cockpit was preserved as a virtual flight simulator in Horsham
Ryanair, as we know it today, began life as Danren Enterprises on November 28, 1984, founded by Christopher Ryan, Liam Lonergan and Tony Ryan. The latter, its driving force, had worked for Aer Lingus at Shannon, leasing out aircraft during the winter on behalf of the flag carrier. In 1975 he invested £5,000 in return for 10% of Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA), which he would run from the outset (GPA became the largest global aircraft lessor during the 1980s).
Ryanair was created during that decade’s boom which GPA enjoyed, but a 1990 stock exchange flotation didn’t go well and as it fell apart, in the ruins was Ryanair – a tiny airline running up debts. Ryan harnessed the talents of his assistant, Michael O’Leary, and in time he would remake his fortune, while the charismatic O’Leary would make his, then transform and transcend the European airline industry.