Closure of Shannon and Cork crew bases raises fears Aer Lingus may focus on Dublin

The airline’s decision means the jobs of all 81 cabin crew at Shannon are at risk, while 45 ground staff at the airport will be laid off. At Cork, 138 cabin crew and 60 ground staff will be laid off from September through November.

The decision by Aer Lingus to completely shut its crew base at Shannon Airport, and to temporarily close at Cork, has raised fears that the airline may be trying to abandon the two bases in favour of Dublin.

The airline blamed the move on its haemorrhaging of cash, with financial losses running at €465m since the onset of the Covid crisis. However, business leaders, analysts, trade unions, and politicians warned Aer Lingus about any retrenchment back to its Dublin airport hub.