Aer Lingus is moving closer to closing its Manchester Airport base, potentially affecting around 200 staff, after concluding that efforts to improve margins at the operation are no longer viable. The Irish airline has informed employees it will begin formal consultations in the coming days on measures to mitigate job losses if the base is shut.
The airline confirmed it will stop selling tickets for its long-haul flights from Manchester to New York JFK, Orlando, and Barbados after 31 March, a move seen by industry observers as a strong indication that the base is set to be wound down.
While Aer Lingus has not formally confirmed a closure, internal communications shared with staff underline the company’s position. The airline stated that although the Manchester base remains profitable, its margins are “far below” those achieved elsewhere in its network. “The airline has explored various options for increasing the margin at the Manchester base, but unfortunately to date these options do not appear to be viable,” a memo to employees said.
Services between Ireland and Manchester, operated by Aer Lingus and Aer Lingus Regional, will continue as normal.
The Manchester operation, managed by Aer Lingus’s UK subsidiary, employs around 200 people, including nearly 130 cabin crew, and operates transatlantic flights using two aircraft. Staff have been told they may be offered redeployment within Aer Lingus or its parent group, IAG, which also owns British Airways and Iberia, or the option of redundancy.
The potential closure follows months of industrial tensions at the base. Cabin crew, represented by the Unite union, staged strikes in October and November over pay, while Aer Lingus has also had disputes with the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association regarding employment issues affecting Manchester-based pilots.
Unite has criticised the proposed closure, describing it as “economic vandalism” and warning of further disruption if the plans proceed. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the Manchester base is profitable and accused the airline of showing “a complete disregard for its loyal workforce.” The union claims it has repeatedly requested Manchester-specific financial data to justify the closure but has not received it.
Unite has opened a ballot on industrial action, with votes closing on 26 January and potential strikes planned from late February. John O’Neill, Unite’s regional officer, said the union would “not back down without a fight” and would explore all options to preserve jobs and keep the base operational.
Aer Lingus reported an operating profit of €135 million for the three months to June 2025, nearly 50% higher than the same period the previous year. While the airline acknowledged the Manchester routes generate profit, it maintains they underperform compared with its Irish long-haul network.
The potential closure highlights the challenges facing airlines as they balance labour costs, operational expenses, and profitability targets. For Manchester Airport and the local workforce, the coming weeks are likely to be decisive.
