The School of Engineering at the University of Minho has joined Ryanair’s network of academic partners in Portugal, as part of the airline’s strategy to recruit, train and develop the next generation of aircraft engineers in the country.
Ryanair recently highlighted its growing investment in training talent in Portugal, through more than ten partnerships and collaborations with universities, polytechnics, vocational schools and Part-147 training organisations. These links to higher education and technical training form part of the company’s growth plan, which aims to reach a fleet of 800 aircraft and 300 million passengers a year by 2034.
Among the partner institutions is the School of Engineering, alongside other national education and training bodies such as the University of Beira Interior, the Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave, and the Piaget Institute. Through these collaborations, students have the opportunity to engage with real-world aeronautical engineering environments, benefiting from practical experience in a professional setting.
Since the launch of Ryanair’s first academic partnership in Portugal in 2024, the company has been expanding its network of collaborations with educational institutions. In 2026, Ryanair had already hosted 38 engineering interns in Portugal, reinforcing its commitment to training qualified talent and creating pathways into careers in the field of aircraft maintenance.
For the UMinho School of Engineering, this collaboration represents an opportunity to bridge the gap between academic training and the needs of a highly specialised and growing industry. The partnership helps to enhance the employability of students and graduates by exposing them to real-world engineering challenges and international operational contexts.
Neal McMahon, Ryanair’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasised the importance of these partnerships for the future of aeronautical engineering in Portugal: “Ryanair is proud to play a leading role in developing the next generation of aircraft engineers in Portugal. As we grow to a fleet of 800 aircraft and 300 million passengers a year, we will have opportunities for highly skilled and well-paid engineering roles.”
He added that Portugal has “fantastic engineering talent” and that the company intends to invest directly in its development through partnerships with educational and training institutions across the country.
Ryanair is currently recruiting for engineering roles in Portugal, including B1 Engineers, Mechanics and Sheet Metal Workers; further information is available at careers.ryanair.com.
This collaboration reinforces the role of the University of Minho’s School of Engineering as an active partner to industry, fostering links between knowledge, innovation, practical training and career opportunities for its students.
Source: Corporate Rayanair
