Aer Lingus has taken a decisive step toward winding down its UK long‑haul operation at Manchester Airport, suspending all transatlantic ticket sales beyond 31 March 2026 and entering a new phase of consultation that could result in the closure of its Manchester base.
The move places around 200 jobs at risk and intensifies uncertainty for staff and passengers as the Irish carrier reassesses the future of its only long‑haul operation outside Ireland.
The development marks the clearest indication yet that Aer Lingus UK — the airline’s UK‑registered subsidiary created in 2021 — may cease flying entirely.
The unit currently operates Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft on routes from Manchester to New York JFK, Orlando, and Barbados.
According to TravelMole, Aer Lingus has now formally stopped selling tickets for these routes for travel after 31 March, a step the airline describes as a “commercial measure” to minimise disruption should the base close.
While the carrier has not explicitly confirmed the shutdown, the removal of all long‑haul inventory from sale effectively signals the end of the operation unless a last‑minute alternative emerges.
In a statement shared across multiple outlets, including Aviation Week, Aer Lingus said staff had been informed that consultations held in late 2025 had now progressed into a phase focused on “mitigating job losses which would occur in the event of a base closure.”
The airline added that it continues to explore options to avoid redundancies but acknowledged that contingency planning is now essential.
The Manchester Evening News reported that customers already booked on flights after 31 March will be contacted directly and offered refunds or re‑accommodation.
Aer Lingus emphasised that its short‑haul services between Manchester and Ireland — operated by Aer Lingus and Aer Lingus Regional — will not be affected.
A Base That Never Reached Its Potential
Aer Lingus launched its Manchester long‑haul base in October 2021 with ambitions to build a competitive transatlantic operation independent of its Dublin hub.
The strategy was designed to capture UK‑originating leisure demand and diversify the airline’s long‑haul footprint.
However, the base struggled to achieve the operating margins seen in the airline’s Irish long‑haul network.
Internal communications cited by TravelMole reveal that despite being profitable, the Manchester operation’s margins were “far below” those achieved elsewhere in the business.
Efforts to improve performance — including schedule adjustments and cost‑saving measures — were deemed unviable.
The base also faced operational and industrial challenges.
Throughout 2025, cabin crew at Manchester engaged in multiple days of strike action amid a pay dispute.
Unite the Union, which represents around 130 of the affected cabin crew, has been vocal in its criticism of the airline’s handling of the situation.
Union Ballots for Industrial Action
Unite has launched a formal ballot for industrial action in response to the proposed closure, as reported by UK Aviation News.
The ballot runs until 26 January, with potential strikes beginning as early as late February if members vote in favour.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham condemned the airline’s plans, describing the closure as “simple economic vandalism” and accusing Aer Lingus of showing “a complete disregard for its loyal workforce.”
The union argues that the Manchester base is profitable and that the airline has failed to provide adequate justification for shutting it down.
Aer Lingus disputes this characterisation, reiterating that the long‑haul operation’s margin performance “continues to significantly lag” behind its Irish long‑haul network.
The airline insists that the consultation process is genuine and that it remains open to proposals that could keep the base operational.
Unite regional officer John O’Neill said the union would continue pressing the airline for transparency, adding: “No stone must be left unturned in pursuing all options in keeping the base operational and preserving jobs.”
Impact on Manchester Passengers and the Market
The suspension of ticket sales leaves Manchester without a direct Aer Lingus‑operated transatlantic presence for the first time since 2021.
The move also reduces competition on key leisure routes to Florida and the Caribbean, markets where Aer Lingus had sought to establish a strong foothold.
Passengers with existing bookings face uncertainty, though Aer Lingus has pledged to offer refunds or alternative arrangements.
The airline has not yet confirmed whether re‑accommodation will involve routing passengers via Dublin, where it operates a significantly larger transatlantic network.
For Manchester Airport, the potential loss of Aer Lingus UK represents a setback to its long‑haul ambitions.
The airport has invested heavily in expanding its intercontinental offering, and Aer Lingus’ arrival in 2021 was seen as a strategic win.
What Happens Next For the Aer Lingus Manchester Base
While Aer Lingus has not officially confirmed the closure, the withdrawal of all long‑haul flights from sale, combined with the shift in consultation focus, suggests that the decision is nearing finalisation.
Unless a viable alternative emerges during the consultation period, the Manchester base is likely to wind down operations at the end of March.
For staff, unions, and passengers, the coming weeks will be critical.
The outcome of Unite’s ballot, the progress of consultations, and any potential intervention from parent company IAG will shape the final chapter of Aer Lingus’ short‑lived Manchester long‑haul venture.
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