Back 'A Private Evening in New York with Padraig O'Ceidigh' Founder of Aer Arann 

Oct 22, 08

By Fionuala Pender

in Network Public Communication

 (Total Ratings: 0)

IIBN celebrated its second speaker event in New York on 17th October at the Irish Consulate on Park Avenue, Manhattan. Over 100 attendees enjoyed an evening with Padraig O'Ceidigh, founder of Aer Arann as the keynote speaker.

Padraig travelled over from Ireland especially for this event and the attendees were not disappointed by his inspirational and candid talk which touched on the importance of selecting the right priorities when building a company. For Padraig, his family and health were essential in making any business work.

Padraig was Ireland's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002, as chosen by Ernst & Young and has developed the airline from a small island-hopper serving the Aran islands off the Irish west coast to one of Europe's fastest-growing regional airlines. Today Aer Arann operates over 600 flights per week, across 40 routes in Ireland to the UK and Northern France. Passenger numbers have grown from 12,000 in its first year to 1.1m in 2006. Such activity has made Aer Arann the third busiest carrier out of Dublin airport and one of the fastest growing regional airlines in Europe.

Aer Arann was awarded the European Bronze Airline of the Year Award for 2004 by the European Regions Airline Association. Aer Arann was chosen from among 65 airline members throughout Europe to win the coveted bronze award and is the only Irish airline to have received the accolade.

Padraig is currently a member of the Irish Entrepreneur Of The Year judging panel and was a member of the 2004 World Entrepreneur Of The Year judging panel. The event was opened by Niall Burgess, Consul General and concluded with wine and canapés