EASA ATPL in Ireland
ATPL theory exams and training in Ireland
Ireland is a small country with an outsized aviation footprint: it is home to two major airline cadet pipelines and a large share of the world's aircraft-leasing industry. If you want to sit your EASA ATPL theory exams here, the Irish Aviation Authority runs the papers and a handful of approved schools deliver the training.
- Spain~€60,000 to ~€130,000
- Greece~€55,000 to ~€90,000+
- Germany~€85,000 to ~€130,000
- Poland~€55,000 to ~€85,000
- Authority
- IAA
- Theory exams
- 13 EASA papers
- Exam language
- English
At a glance
Sitting the exams
How the ATPL theory exams work
The 13 ATPL theory papers are computer-based, sat through the electronic PEXO exam system and drawn from EASA's European Central Question Bank (the IAA moves to the ECQB2026 version from 1 August 2026). You apply and pay through a MySRS account rather than at the desk, and exams are held in English at fixed sittings across the year. Per the IAA's own exam FAQ you must pass all the required subjects within 18 months of your first attempt, and a per-subject fee applies (around €128 per paper in the IAA's published Schedule of Charges).Where you sit the exams
Candidates sit the theory exams at the IAA's own centre in Dublin or at Atlantic Flight Training Academy's examination centre in Cork; the IAA's 2026 exam calendar marks the Cork-only sittings separately. Check the current Dublin address on that calendar when you book. The calendar is fixed, with no special dates outside the published sittings.
What ATPL training costs in Ireland
- Integrated ATPL
- From ~€83,500 (NFC)
Costs are best judged from what an Irish school actually publishes. The National Flight Centre at Weston Airport near Dublin lists €83,500 for its 20-month integrated ATPL programme, inclusive of flight, simulator and theory instruction. Across the wider Irish market, integrated ATPL training is generally in the region of €80,000 to €120,000, depending on the school and intake.
Notable ATOs in Ireland
A few of the training organisations that run ATPL theory or integrated programmes here under EASA rules. SkyStudy is not affiliated with any of them; the links go to each school's own website so you can check current programmes and pricing yourself.
Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA)
CorkApproved training organisation founded in 1995, based at Cork Airport with a simulator centre at Little Island. It runs integrated and modular programmes, is one of the approved pilot training partners Ryanair lists for its Future Flyer Academy, and runs its own IAA examination centre in Cork where its students sit the ATPL papers.
Visit websiteNational Flight Centre (NFC)
DublinBased at Weston Airport west of Dublin and training airline pilots since 1977, NFC prices its 20-month integrated ATPL(A) programme at €83,500 on its own site, plus ATPL distance-learning theory.
Visit websiteAirline Flight Academy (AFA)
DublinBased in Santry beside Dublin Airport, AFA describes itself as Ryanair Group's official cadet recruitment partner, is listed by Ryanair as an approved pilot training partner for the Future Flyer Academy, and in June 2026 reported having trained over 1,000 Future Flyer Academy cadets in five years.
Visit websiteTwo airline cadet pipelines on one island
Ireland is unusual in feeding two distinct airline cadet routes. Aer Lingus runs its fully sponsored Future Pilot Programme, developing 90 pilots over a five-year cohort with part of the training at the airline's own Dublin academy. Separately, Ryanair's Future Flyer Academy runs through Irish ATOs (AFTA in Cork and Airline Flight Academy in Dublin). Add Dublin's role as the global capital of aircraft leasing, where a majority of the world's leased commercial aircraft are managed, and Ireland punches well above its size in aviation. None of this replaces the ATPL theory exams, but it is why so many aspiring pilots start here.
ATPL in Ireland: common questions
Who runs the ATPL theory exams in Ireland?
Who runs the ATPL theory exams in Ireland?
How much does ATPL training cost in Ireland?
How much does ATPL training cost in Ireland?
What language are the ATPL exams in Ireland?
What language are the ATPL exams in Ireland?
Sources
10 cited
Sources
10 cited- IAA: Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
- IAA: Pilot Examinations FAQ
- National Flight Centre: Integrated ATPL(A) programme
- Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA)
- AFTA: ATPL theory course (exams sat at AFTA's Cork centre or the IAA in Dublin)
- IAA: examination dates, including the Cork-only sittings
- Ryanair: approved pilot training partners for the Future Flyer Academy
- Airline Flight Academy (AFA)
- Ryanair: Dublin training and simulator centre in agreement with Airline Flight Academy (2021)
- Aer Lingus: Future Pilot Programme
Preparing for the IAA ATPL theory exams?
Whichever EASA state you sit them in, the core EASA theory syllabus provides the foundation. SkyStudy supports that syllabus with independently authored revision questions, spaced repetition, and timed mock exams. Free to start, no card needed.