Aer Lingus has issued a statutory redundancy notice for more than 200 staff at its UK subsidiary after what the airline called the “continued under-performance” of its Manchester hub. The base, opened in 2021 to operate direct flights from northern England to New York, Boston and Barbados, has struggled with crew strikes and rising costs. Unite the Union reacted with anger on 25 November, accusing the Irish flag-carrier of providing “no meaningful financial data” to justify closure.
For Irish business travellers, the potential shutdown would remove an important alternative gateway to the United States at peak times—especially during summer when Dublin Airport faces tight slot capacity. About 15 % of Aer Lingus transatlantic passengers originate in Ireland but route via Manchester for price or scheduling reasons. Those customers would be forced back through Dublin, Heathrow or Amsterdam if the base closes.
![Aer Lingus threatens to shutter Manchester base, putting 200 jobs and transatlantic links at risk]()
The dispute follows months of industrial unrest. Cabin crew staged a four-day strike in October that cancelled 18 flights and disrupted 4,000 passengers. Aer Lingus argues that pay at Manchester lags Irish rates because the operation competes directly with low-cost carriers.
Under UK labour law the airline must consult for at least 45 days before final decisions. Unite says it will use that period to demand financial transparency and explore alternatives such as seasonal operation or wet-leasing the two A321LR aircraft involved. Should closure proceed, Aer Lingus would repatriate Irish-based pilots on secondment and re-deploy the aircraft to Dublin.
Global mobility managers should prepare for reduced seat availability on both the Manchester–US and Dublin–US corridors in summer 2026, potentially driving up corporate travel costs. Affected assignees should be advised to book well in advance or consider Shannon and Belfast as alternatives.
For Irish business travellers, the potential shutdown would remove an important alternative gateway to the United States at peak times—especially during summer when Dublin Airport faces tight slot capacity. About 15 % of Aer Lingus transatlantic passengers originate in Ireland but route via Manchester for price or scheduling reasons. Those customers would be forced back through Dublin, Heathrow or Amsterdam if the base closes.
The dispute follows months of industrial unrest. Cabin crew staged a four-day strike in October that cancelled 18 flights and disrupted 4,000 passengers. Aer Lingus argues that pay at Manchester lags Irish rates because the operation competes directly with low-cost carriers.
Under UK labour law the airline must consult for at least 45 days before final decisions. Unite says it will use that period to demand financial transparency and explore alternatives such as seasonal operation or wet-leasing the two A321LR aircraft involved. Should closure proceed, Aer Lingus would repatriate Irish-based pilots on secondment and re-deploy the aircraft to Dublin.
Global mobility managers should prepare for reduced seat availability on both the Manchester–US and Dublin–US corridors in summer 2026, potentially driving up corporate travel costs. Affected assignees should be advised to book well in advance or consider Shannon and Belfast as alternatives.
