Patrick Raftery is the founder and CEO of Innovation Aviation.
With over 34 years worldwide aviation and Board-level business experience, Patrick has worked with, supported, consulted and advised a variety of airlines, operators, financiers, corporations, HNWI Trusts/Family Offices and aircraft manufacturers.
Patrick founded Innovation Aviation in 2006 and has successfully closed multiple multi-aircraft Purchase Agreement transactions and long-term aircraft lease deals. Patrick and his advisors specialize in negotiating and closing private jet purchase transactions with/from Embraer, Dassault, Gulfstream, Textron and Bombardier.
Patrick is also the founder of the Advanced Air Mobility institute, designed to support funding for PhD-level and Masters-level research and development into the environmental, energy, ecosystem and enabling technology potential of true-zero emissions, future air mobility.
Patrick holds an MSc. Degree in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University, an MA Degree in International Relations from Dublin City University, a Master of Laws Degree (LLM Hons) from University College Cork, a Certificate in Global Strategy Studies from Harvard Business School, a Certificate in Commercial Contracts from the Law Society of Ireland and has completed multiple Post-Graduate professional courses in Aviation Finance and Aircraft Operating/Finance Leases.
Patrick has been an External Examiner for the BA (Honours) in International Business Studies with Aviation and BSc (Honours) in Global Business and Pilot Studies at Munster Technological University. He completed his LLM (Masters in Law) at University College Cork in September 2023, graduating in March 2024, researching in his dissertation how uncompromising strategic EU legislation, potentially coming into force by 2035, could reduce and eliminate global GHG emissions generated by aircraft currently powered by fossil fuels.
Patrick has been an AOC Accountable Manager Post Holder at CEO level and has successfully completed the EASA Private Pilots Licence course requirements by flying Cessna 172s.
Patrick is 59 and is married with one daughter.