Ryanair was founded by Thomas Anthony Ryan, who was usually called Tony Ryan.

Ryan was born in Tipperary, in Ireland, in 1936. He went into the aviation industry early, working for Aer LIngus and later being in charge of leasing out Aer LIngus aircraft off peak season.

He started an air leasing company in 1975, working with Aer Lingus and Guinness. The company, known as Guinness Peat Aviation, was sold in 2000 for over 50 million euros under its later name, AerFi.

In 1985 Ryan founded Ryanair, together with fellow entrepreneur Christopher Ryan, who owned a major Irish travel agency. By 2006 Ryanair's profits were over 300 million euros. In 2012 this became more than 500 million.

Tony Ryan died in October 2007.