As Ireland’s aviation sector continues to grow, creating meaningful pathways for young professionals has never been more important. A standout example of this commitment is the partnership between FLY4 Airlines and Dublin City University (DCU), which is helping students gain real-world experience inside one of the industry’s most dynamic startup carriers.
Through hands-on internships that span engineering, safety, operations, data analytics and more, students are getting a front-row seat to the inner workings of a modern airline. One of the latest students to benefit from this collaboration is Nina Hu, a third‑year Aviation Management with Pilot Studies undergraduate.Here we learn more from Nina about her internship experience at FLY4.
A Meaningful Role with Real Impact
After a summer at Ryanair sparked Nina’s interest in aviation, she discovered the FLY4 internship through DCU’s dedicated platform for placement opportunities. What drew her in was the rare chance to contribute to the foundations of an airline still in its growth phase.
“I had never worked for a startup before,” Nina explains. “I was excited to see how people built the foundations of an airline.” The role also provided exposure to engineering, an area she had little experience in but was eager to explore.
Joining the FLY4 Continuing Airworthiness team as an Aviation Analyst, day to day responsibilities include:
- Managing and enhancing key metrics dashboards in Tableau
- Maintaining CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation) reports to align with evolving regulations
- Tracking block hour requests from brokers
- Resolving crew expense issues and;
- Compiling technical delay reports
These hands-on tasks have allowed Nina to take classroom learning and apply it to real airline operations.
“While data analytics are taught in theory in DCU, it has been a great experience to put them in practice,” she says. “Before starting this internship, I had very little Tableau experience. Now, after months of managing core dashboards and creating new ones for senior management, I’m highly proficient with the software.”
One of her most challenging achievements was developing a dashboard to estimate potential block hours of FLY4 for W25; an advanced piece of analysis requiring creativity, adaptability, and every bit of Tableau knowledge she had learned so far.
A Culture That Supports Growth
What stands out most is the inclusive and supportive culture at FLY4. From her first day, Nina says the team made her feel part of the organisation. Collaboration is central to how FLY4 operates, and interns are encouraged to contribute across departments, from Engineering to Finance, Operations to Commercial.
“Worklife balance is a priority here,” she notes, highlighting how the airline adapted her schedule when she returned to full-time study, allowing her to continue in a part-time position. This flexibility, combined with exposure to virtually every area of the airline, has given her what she describes as “a holistic view of the industry.”
A key part of Nina’s learning experience has been mentorship from Dave Hickey, Head of Continuing Airworthiness. “His patience has been really appreciated,” she says. From explaining complex technical issues to guiding her through engineering fundamentals, his support has been instrumental in developing her understanding of aircraft maintenance and safety.
Strengthening the Pipeline of Aviation Talent
Through initiatives like Safety Management Systems training and direct involvement with airline KPIs, FLY4 ensures interns experience the realities and responsibilities of aviation at a high level. It’s an approach that not only strengthens students’ technical skills but also deepens their appreciation of regulatory frameworks and safety culture.
Looking ahead, Nina hopes others will consider an internship with FLY4 or a career in aviation more broadly. “FLY4 has changed my perspective on the corporate world,” she says. “If you’re unsure about your future, this experience will give you clarity. Aviation is always dynamic and ever‑changing, and there’s nothing quite like it.”
As FLY4 expands and continues to invest in new talent, partnerships with institutions like DCU will play a vital role in developing and securing the next generation of aviation professionals.
“Nina is another addition to of DCU Students joining the FLY4 Team and for FLY4, the programme has been a stand-out success as we have experienced a great dynamic between the students such as Nina and our Team, gaining valuable inputs and insights through their efforts while working with us” says Jochen Schnadt, CEO at FLY4.
For students, the message is clear: opportunities in this industry are vast, exciting, and more accessible than ever, and FLY4 is creating a place for them to take flight.