DUBLIN- Aer Lingus (EI) has launched a collective consultation process that could result in closing its long-haul base at Manchester Airport (MAN), putting more than 200 jobs at risk.
The decision follows prolonged cabin crew strikes and consistently low profitability on transatlantic routes from the UK city.
Strikes by Manchester-based crew began in October 2025 after workers rejected pay offers, including an initial 9% rise on basic salaries.
Aer Lingus maintains most flights using replacement staff while citing operating margins that significantly lag behind Dublin (DUB) departures.
Aer Lingus Manchester Cabin Crew Strike
Aer Lingus (EI) established its Manchester (MAN) base in 2021 using spare Airbus A330 aircraft after Thomas Cook collapsed.
The airline launched nonstop services to New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), and Barbados (BGI), competing directly with Virgin Atlantic on premium transatlantic routes.
The carrier hired hundreds of local cabin crew and ground staff to support the operation. Manchester-based crew receive lower base pay and allowances than their Dublin counterparts, leading to demands for increases amid high living costs in northern England.
Workers argued that proposed rises failed to cover shortfalls in affording housing and bills.
Cabin crew first rejected a 9% increase in basic salaries. Around 130 crew then voted in favor of strike action, resulting in 11 days of walkouts across October and November 2025. Additional strikes disrupted services but had a limited effect in resuming negotiations.
Accusations of Union-Busting
Aer Lingus faced criticism for continuing operations during strikes. The airline used non-striking personnel or Dublin-based crew on some flights.
In certain cases, it flew passengers from Manchester (MAN) to Dublin (DUB) on short-haul services, then connected them to long-haul aircraft staffed by replacement crew.
Unite accused Aer Lingus of union-busting tactics. The union’s general secretary previously called it “outrageous” that the crew struggled financially while the profitable airline resisted fair pay.
Aer Lingus Consultation Process
On November 17, 2025, Aer Lingus (EI) briefed Manchester staff on underperformance. An internal memo, obtained by media including the Irish Independent, stated that Manchester long-haul margins “significantly lagged” Irish operations.
The memo explained: “This makes it difficult to justify further investment in the Manchester base and raises the question as to whether there are potentially better alternative uses of the two aircraft that are in the Manchester base.”
Management opened formal collective consultations with Unite and pilot representatives. The process explores all options but explicitly includes potential base closure and mass redundancies.
Reported by PYOK, the airline emphasized redeploying the two A330s to higher-yield routes from Dublin (DUB).
Aer Lingus acknowledged the uncertainty in communications to staff: “We acknowledge and fully appreciate that this is an uncertain and difficult time for colleagues based in Manchester and we will work closely with the management team and the staff in Manchester over the coming weeks, ensuring that they are kept fully informed and supported.”
Pilots, seconded from Ireland, retain rights to return to Dublin (DUB) positions. Cabin crew and ground staff face higher redundancy risks.
Union and Industry Response
Unite has not issued a public response to the closure threat as of November 18, 2025. The union continues to highlight crew hardships despite Aer Lingus posting strong profits within the IAG Group.
Closure would end IAG’s direct competition with Virgin Atlantic on Manchester (MAN) transatlantic routes. It would also reduce long-haul connectivity from northern England, potentially shifting aircraft to busier Dublin (DUB) North Atlantic services with better feeder traffic.
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