VivaAerobus, the Mexican low-cost carrier in which Declan Ryan’s Irelandia is an investor, is launching a new international service from Mexico to Dallas next March, it emerged this week.
Ryan is also busy at the moment with a few things closer to home, or rather, a few of his homes. The aviation tycoon and philanthropist picked himself up a nice little six-bed period home on Harcourt Terrace in central Dublin during the summer: a snip at €2.5 million.
The property had been scheduled for auction with an advised minimum value of €1.7 million, before Ryan bought it in a private deal prior to hammer time. Properties selling for €700,000 more than the AMV? Just like old times.
Along with jeweller Niamh Patten, Ryan this week lobbed in a planning application to give his new pad a bit of an overhaul. He also owns a large home on the outskirts of Enniskerry in Co Wicklow, which is, tops, a 40-minute drive from Harcourt Terrace. Still, who wants to commute after a day in Dublin?
Another home owned by Ryan, Maytree, which is also in Enniskerry but this time on the Bray Road, was put on the market in May. Ryan recently knocked €100,000 off its original €850,000 asking price. A bargain, I say.
Back in the air, Grupo Viva, the company behind VivaAerobus and its sibling, VivaColombia is likely to float in coming years, making the Ryan family, who founded Ryanair, another fortune. With Cuba back in from the geopolitical cold this week, could it be next on their hit list?
VivaFidel would make a great name.
