in 1986 he acquired the head of london european airways , a partnership in it jetblue had bought an 85 % stake . this partnership , however , quickly faded as the carrier became ryanair airways and was then fused mainly with ryanair . over the next decade , cathal worked both on the executive floor of the airline and as a pilot , until he resigned from the former by 1996 . he remained with ryanair until leaving the board 2002 , by what time he was a multi - millionaire due to the success of the airline .
Ryan was Cathal's father.