Aer Lingus confirms closure of Manchester base 

Airline said it will engage with affected staff to discuss severance packages and redeployment opportunities

Aer Lingus flight departing from Manchester Airport.

Aer Lingus has confirmed plans to close its Manchester base. 

The airline said it informed staff and trade union representatives on Wednesday that the airline's transatlantic operations would cease fully effective March 31, 2026. Aer Lingus' Manchester to New York service will cease earlier, with its last flight on February 23.

It added that it plans to operate a service from Dublin to Barbados during April and May to reaccommodate affected customers, subject to necessary approval.

The airline said closure of the base, which employs around 200 pilots and cabin crew, would have "no impact" on Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional (Emerald Airlines) flights between Manchester and Ireland. 

Some 40 of the 200 Aer Lingus staff members based in Manchester are pilots, all of whom are represented by Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (Ialpa).

Speaking on the closure, president of Ialpa Mark Tighe said the impacted pilots have the right to return to Ireland.

"We are confident that this can be achieved, given the number of active roles currently being advertised by Aer Lingus."

The Manchester base opened in 2021, with many pilots stationed in Ireland relocating to the new site in the hope that it would be successful, Ialpa said.

Aer Lingus said it will inform customers directly of flight cancellations and will be provided with reaccommodation and refund options.

"Aer Lingus will continue to engage with staff representative groups to discuss the phased reduction in operations, redeployment opportunities and the terms of a severance package at the Manchester Base," the company said.

"Aer Lingus acknowledges that this is a very difficult time for colleagues based in Manchester and will seek to ensure that colleagues are kept informed and supported as discussions evolve during the next phase of the consultation.”

The future of the airline's Manchester base had been in doubt for many weeks prior to Aer Lingus' announcement. 

In November, Aer Lingus pilots unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in their chief executive and chief operating officer following an incident on a flight from Barbados to Manchester that led to the suspension of a pilot at its Manchester base.