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.
IAA
Irish Aviation Authority
13 EASA papers
Sat under EASA Part-FCL
English
For ATPL theory papers
~€83k-€120k
Indicative, varies by school
The national aviation authority: IAA
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is Ireland's national aviation authority and the EASA competent authority for pilot licensing. In 2023 the economic regulator (the Commission for Aviation Regulation) merged into the IAA, and the air traffic control function was split out into a separate company, AirNav Ireland, which does not deal with licensing. The name “Irish Aviation Authority” was kept for the merged regulator, and it is the IAA that sets and administers the 13 ATPL theoretical-knowledge papers under Part-FCL.
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).
Exam fees and procedures are set by the authority and change over time. Amounts quoted here reflect published fee schedules as of July 2026; confirm the current fee with IAA before booking a sitting.
Where you sit the exams
Candidates sit the theory exams at a designated IAA centre in Dublin and at Atlantic Flight Training Academy's own centre at Cork Airport. The Dublin venue moved to a dedicated city-centre testing facility in 2025, so check the current address on the IAA exam calendar when you book. The calendar is fixed, with no special dates outside the published sittings.
What ATPL training costs in Ireland
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.
Figures are indicative, quoted by the schools named below or by third-party aggregators, and change often. Confirm current pricing directly with the training organisation.
Notable ATOs in Ireland
A few of the EASA-approved training organisations that run ATPL theory or integrated programmes here. 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)
CorkEASA-approved ATO founded in 1995, based at Cork Airport with a simulator centre at Little Island. It runs integrated and modular programmes, is a Ryanair Future Flyer Academy partner, and operates its own IAA-linked Cork exam centre.
Visit websiteNational Flight Centre (NFC)
DublinBased at Weston Airport near Dublin, NFC runs the integrated ATPL(A) programme priced at €83,500 on its own site, plus ATPL distance-learning theory.
Visit websiteAirline Flight Academy (AFA)
DublinBased in Santry, Dublin, AFA is Ryanair Group's official cadet partner for the Future Flyer Academy pathway and reports having trained over 1,000 Ryanair cadets.
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?
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) sets and administers the 13 ATPL theory papers under EASA Part-FCL. Training is delivered by approved training organisations, but the exams themselves are the IAA's responsibility.
How much does ATPL training cost in Ireland?
The National Flight Centre publishes €83,500 for its integrated ATPL programme. Across the Irish market, integrated training is generally around €80,000 to €120,000 depending on the school. Confirm current pricing directly with the ATO.
What language are the ATPL exams in Ireland?
The IAA conducts the ATPL theory exams in English, using the computer-based PEXO system and the EASA European Central Question Bank.
Sources
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Preparing for the IAA ATPL theory exams?
Whichever EASA state you sit them in, the 13 papers come from the same central question bank. SkyStudy turns that syllabus into exam-style practice, spaced repetition, and timed mock exams. Free to start, no card needed.
This page is general educational information for student pilots and may be out of date. Aviation rules, training requirements, costs, medical standards, and exam details change over time and vary by country, authority, and training organisation, so details here may no longer be current or may differ in your case. Always confirm the current details with your approved training organisation (ATO) and national aviation authority before relying on them. SkyStudy is an independent study aid, is not affiliated with EASA or any aviation authority, and does not guarantee any exam or licence outcome.
Last reviewed July 2026