Michael Treacy, Senior Programme Manager in the Research and Innovation Division at Enterprise Ireland, has been confirmed as a member of the judging panel for the Aviation Industry Awards 2026, bringing a career spanning aerospace development, international market leadership, and research funding to Ireland's benchmark programme for aviation excellence and innovation.

In his current role at Enterprise Ireland, Treacy oversees funding for university and third-level research partnerships that deliver patents, intellectual property, and technology licences for Irish industry, including the aviation sector.

That position at the interface of academic research and commercial application gives him a grounded understanding of how innovation moves from laboratory to industry, and what it takes to translate research investment into sustainable competitive advantage for Irish companies operating in global markets.

His earlier career as Head of Aerospace at Enterprise Ireland placed him at the centre of efforts to promote and develop Ireland's aviation capability, working closely with global OEMs, MROs, and airlines worldwide. That role required a command of the full aviation ecosystem, from maintenance and engineering to leasing and airline operations, and a capacity to represent Irish industry credibly on the international stage.

His international outlook was further shaped by senior postings as Director of Nordic Markets in Stockholm and Manager of Industrial Products in Paris, experience that gives him a perspective on aviation industry dynamics that extends well beyond the domestic market. He has also consulted across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and South America, reflecting a career with genuinely global reach.

The Aviation Industry Awards, launched in 2014, spans 25 categories from Aviation Company of the Year and airport achievement to aviation innovation, airline safety, aviation technology, and Aviation Rising Star. Treacy joins fellow panellists Adam Bouchard of Nashville International Airport, Samantha Harding of SILC, and Dr Kyriakos Kourousis of the University of Limerick.

The awards gala will take place on 3 December 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin Airport. Entries close on 21 August 2026.

Visit the official Aviation Industry Awards website to explore past winners, review category details, and subscribe to the newsletter for insights and event updates.