Aer Lingus has confirmed it will shut its Manchester base on March 31, bringing an end to the airline’s long-haul operations from the UK city and affecting around 200 employees.
The decision marks a significant reversal of the carrier’s expansion outside Ireland, just four years after the base was launched in 2021 as part of a post-pandemic growth strategy.
Flights from Manchester to New York will cease earlier, with the final service scheduled for February 23, while routes to Barbados and Orlando will also be discontinued.
Aer Lingus said services between Manchester and Ireland will continue to operate as normal and will not be impacted by the closure.
Reaccommodation Plans for Affected Passengers
Passengers booked on cancelled services are being contacted directly by the airline and offered refunds or alternative travel arrangements.
To support customers who had planned to travel from Manchester to Barbados, Aer Lingus confirmed it will operate a temporary Dublin–Barbados service during April and May.
The airline said this measure is designed to minimise disruption for customers already holding confirmed bookings.
Earlier this month, Aer Lingus stopped selling tickets on its Manchester transatlantic routes while consultations were ongoing.
Financial Pressures Behind the Decision
Aer Lingus chief executive Lynne Embleton has previously said the operating margin at the Manchester base “significantly lagged” behind the airline’s long-haul operations based in Ireland.
While the base was profitable, management said the returns were not strong enough when compared with other parts of the business.
The airline entered talks with staff and trade unions in November, exploring options to improve financial performance at the base.
In communications to staff, Aer Lingus said it examined multiple proposals to increase margins but concluded that none were viable in the long term.
Staff Impact and Consultation Process
The closure will affect approximately 200 employees based at Manchester, including cabin crew, pilots, and ground staff.
Around 40 pilots are employed at the base, with Aer Lingus confirming that approximately 30 will be able to return to flying operations based in Ireland.
The remaining pilots were recruited in the UK and will be included in ongoing discussions about severance and redeployment.
Aer Lingus said it will continue engaging with staff representatives to manage the phased reduction of operations and to provide support during the transition.
Airline Response and Industry Context
In a statement, the airline acknowledged the impact of the decision on staff, describing it as a “difficult time” for colleagues based in Manchester.
Management said it was grateful for the work and commitment shown by the Manchester team since the base opened.
Aer Lingus operates the long-haul routes from Manchester using Airbus A330 aircraft, serving leisure and transatlantic markets.
The airline is part of International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.
Strategic Refocus on Core Operations
The closure signals a renewed focus on Aer Lingus’ core operations from Ireland, where long-haul routes continue to perform more strongly.
Industry analysts note that rising operating costs, competition from larger hubs, and pressure on margins have made long-haul services from regional UK airports increasingly difficult to sustain.
While Aer Lingus had positioned Manchester as a strategic base for transatlantic travel, the airline now appears to be consolidating capacity closer to its primary network.
For passengers and staff alike, the decision underscores the volatility facing airlines as they balance expansion ambitions against financial realities in a highly competitive aviation market.