Limerick Flying Club named aviation company of the year at Aviation Industry Awards 2025

Limerick Flying Club has been named aviation company of the year at the Aviation Industry Awards 2025 in recognition of its safety-centred strategy, structured talent development initiatives, and measurable community impact.

The awards ceremony, hosted by Eric Lalor at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin, saw 14 trophies presented across 50 entries from Ireland’s aviation sector, with 174 attendees celebrating excellence and innovation in the industry.

Based at Coonagh Aerodrome, Limerick Flying Club is a volunteer-run organisation dedicated to flight training. In the past year, the club modernised its fleet and facilities and introduced digital training and safety systems.

“Limerick Flying Club has demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise in aviation, combining safety, innovation, and community engagement to outstanding effect,” said the award citation. “Their commitment to nurturing talent, promoting best practices, and delivering memorable experiences has set a benchmark across the industry.”

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Club chairman Harry McNamara noted that flying clubs and schools “are the nesting grounds where many pilots are initially trained for the airline sector while providing an amazing pastime for their members”.

Launched in 2014, the Aviation Industry Awards are the benchmark for excellence for those demonstrating best practice and innovation in the aviation sector in Ireland. The awards encourage teams and individuals to constantly raise the bar, to innovate and maintain their commitment to achieving excellence.

Thomas Peppard, marketing and pre-sales executive at sponsor Leasepoint, said the awards celebrate the exceptional people and organisations behind Ireland’s aviation success. “Their work strengthens the industry, supports global connectivity, and continues to raise standards across every corner of aviation,” he added.

Kumar Kaneswaran, head of network at awards sponsor Aviation Skillnet, remarked: “As a regular attendee over the years and proud sponsor, I have consistently found the Aviation Industry Awards to be a distinguished showcase of Irish aviation excellence and a vital forum for meaningful connection, collaboration, and community across our industry.”

Drone delivery operator Manna Air Delivery was the recipient of the aviation innovation award. CTO Alan Hicks remarked: “Aviation is such a strong part of Irish history that we’re delighted to win an award. To see some of the big companies shortlisted and for us to take away an award is huge for us.”

Aer Lingus was the award winner in the people and workplace culture category. The airline’s award submission detailed an all-female A330 flight that flew hundreds of career guidance counsellors around Ireland. The journey ended with a careers fair in the airline’s Dublin hangar, where every role from pilot to chief executive was filled by women. Sean Murphy, executive people director at Aer Lingus, said the award was great recognition for the effort and energy that goes into this type of work and the culture in the business.

DCU professor Marina Efthymiou was presented with the women in aviation award. Her leadership in advancing aviation policy and environmental responsibility has influenced both academia and practice. “I’m delighted and very honoured for this award,” she said. “It’s fantastic to see Irish aviation being celebrated and it’s important to highlight achievements. It’s inspiring for future generations to see how well the industry is doing.”

Collins Aerospace was judged best in class in the aviation training award category. The company’s early careers pathway supports the transition from education to industry by providing a holistic approach that develops graduates both personally and professionally. Niamh Johnston, senior HR business partner, stated: “We were absolutely thrilled to be recognised. It’s great to see the range of different categories and to recognise the talent from each of the companies.”

In 2025, LXA Leasing closed a pioneering $50 million refinancing, secured against 107 leased engines and APUs. COO Remi Krys said the award for the firm underscores the strength of the Irish aviation community and the power of international collaboration. “Managing a specialised engine and APU portfolio that is uncommon in the market, our work shows how partnership and innovation deliver the reliability operators now demand,” he explained.

Frequency, an innovative communication and collaboration platform specifically designed for aviation, won the award in the technology category. Chief executive Justin Perry said: “We were surprised to win against such strong contenders. It’s a great evening and it has been really good fun. Even just putting the submission together was great, and I would recommend everybody to enter these awards.”

Judging coordinator Viktoriia Ivannikova remarked that the main trend across award submissions was the focus on sustainability, innovation, and technology, which reflects the sector’s shift towards a greener, smarter, and safer future.

“Projects from across the industry illustrate this transformation: from daa’s solar farm and geothermal energy research, and Aer Lingus’s SAF and fleet modernisation initiatives, to Airbus’s circular economy strategy and Tao Climate’s carbon removal solutions,” she explained. “Equally inspiring are innovations from smaller organisations such as Marqette’s ISO 14001-certified food system and AvAir’s Climate Neutral certification, demonstrating that sustainability and innovation are embedded at every scale of the Irish aviation ecosystem.

“The Aviation Industry Awards 2025 highlight how Ireland’s aviation sector is uniting around sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation, positioning Ireland at the forefront of aviation excellence and climate leadership.”

Neil Wall, community director at awards organiser BusinessRiver, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our gold sponsors, Leasepoint and Aviation Skillnet. I would also like to acknowledge our media partner, The Irish Times and our supporter, Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”

Awards judges

Viktoriia Ivannikova (judging coordinator) - programme chair role, BSc in aviation management, DCU Business School
Adam Bouchard - vice president, operations, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
Samantha Harding - owner, SILC
Kyriakos Kourousis - associate professor, University of Limerick
John McMahon - managing director, MJ McMahon & Company
Kieran O’Brien - partner, KPMG
Michael Treacy - senior programme manager, research and innovation division, Enterprise Ireland
Wayne Tyrrell - senior legal advisor, Irish Aviation Authority