With Aer Lingus considering shutting it’s base at Manchester for long-haul flights, what are the implications for the airport?
The Irish carrier, which has been operating flights to Barbados, New York and Orlando, as well as it’s usual flights to Dublin and Belfast from the UK airport, is considering shutting up shop.
If this does go ahead, then it will have implications for the UK airport’s already scarce route portfolio for flights across the pond.
Furthermore, it has been a tumultuous few months for the airline out of Manchester, which definitely shows why the consultation for such a closure has been initiated.
Aer Lingus to Exit Manchester Base…
It was reported a few weeks ago that Aer Lingus has started the moves to close it’s operating base at Manchester Airport.
As per the MEN, it is understood this move will affect around 200 jobs, and has entered the consultation period with the Unions.
Of course, the Unions, such as Unite, have expressed anger over the move, as their General Secretary Sharon Graham explains:
“It is outrageous that such a profitable airline such as Aer Lingus is proposing to close its base, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
“The closure of the base would have a significant impact on workers, their families and the local community, as well as passengers with upcoming flights from the airport.”
“Aer Lingus has serious questions to answer about its decision making and must provide its rationale to Unite immediately.”
Unite also argue that the Irish carrier has made projected profits of around £35 million from just two aircraft operating three long-haul routes out of Manchester Airport.
Such a move has no doubt come following previous strike action back in October-November time, which disrupted operations.
In a statement at the time, Aer Lingus confirmed the consultation process regarding the Manchester base:
“Aer Lingus can confirm that the company met with staff at its Manchester base to brief them on the performance of the base.
“Despite all of the work and best efforts of the team, the Manchester longhaul operating margin performance continues to significantly lag behind that of Aer Lingus’s Irish longhaul operating margin.”
“This situation has prompted a necessary consideration of the long-term viability of the Manchester base.”
“Colleagues at the Manchester base were advised that Aer Lingus will now enter into a collective consultation process with their representatives.”
“This process will explore all the options in respect of the base, however, staff were also advised that it will also include the possibility of a base closure.”
“We acknowledge and fully appreciate that this is an uncertain and difficult time for colleagues based in Manchester and we will work closely with the management team and the staff in Manchester over the coming weeks, ensuring that they are kept fully informed and supported.”
If the base does close at the UK airport, then it means that any passengers wanting to utilise the Irish carrier for transatlantic flights will have to make a stop in Dublin on the way.
From a convenience point of view, passengers would prefer to fly direct to their destination rather than having a stop-over somewhere else.
The Implications for the Airport?
The implications for Manchester Airport if Aer Lingus decide to close their base will be further limited choice for travel into North America.
Excluding the Irish carrier, the following carriers operate flights across the pond:
- Air Transat & Air Canada to Toronto.
- Virgin Atlantic to Las Vegas.
- Virgin Atlantic to New York.
- Virgin Atlantic & TUI to Orlando.
- Virgin Atlantic to Atlanta.
And that is it.
Considering Manchester Airport used to have the likes of American Airlines, Thomas Cook, Delta Air Lines, Singapore Airlines (Houston flights), and United Airlines and others operate flights to the U.S, it does make things pretty bare.
What is also noticeable is that the potential base closure by Aer Lingus would provide enhanced market share for Virgin Atlantic, who seem to lead a lot of the market share to the U.S from the UK airport.
It could also lead to higher airfares for flights to the U.S specifically, due to the foothold that Virgin Atlantic could potentially have if the base does close.
However, as has been a theme for Manchester Airport in the last few years, there hasn’t been too much focus on the U.S market.
There has been a lot of focus eastbound, via the new IndiGo flights to Mumbai and Delhi, flights to Bangkok with Norse Atlantic Airways, and more recently, flights to Tashkent with Centrum Air.
That area of the world seems to be where a lot of the success and demand is happening, so naturally of course, it would make business sense for Manchester Airport to conduct their business over there.
Furthermore, there has been a lot of commentary over the years regarding flight coverage to North America, with many criticising the airport that they should be placing their focus into this big market.
What Next?
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on what comes next for Aer Lingus and their potential base closure at Manchester Airport.
If it does happen, it will be a blow to the airport’s coverage in North America and over the pond, but the airport don’t seem too concerned on this at the present moment.
With more opportunities appearing eastbound as opposed to westbound, it shouldn’t take too much of a dent in terms of revenues with new carriers launching too.
That being said, however, the fate of 200 jobs is at risk for those working for the Irish carrier, and it will be interesting to see what the decision will look like.
Whatever happens, there are implications to this potential base closure at Manchester Airport by Aer Lingus, and it will be interesting to see whether the UK airport pivots to it or just moves on smoothly.
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