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Aer Lingus Considers Shutting Manchester Base, Putting 200 Jobs at Risk

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 23:26 GMT by AeroTime

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Aer Lingus Considers Shutting Manchester Base, Putting 200 Jobs at Risk

In a move that has sent shock waves through the UK aviation sector, Aer Lingus – Ireland’s flag carrier and a member of the International Airlines Group (IAG) – is reportedly weighing the possibility of closing its Manchester hub, a decision that could see up to 200 local jobs vanish. The news, first reported by the industry‑focused outlet Aerotime, comes amid a period of intense financial pressure for airlines worldwide, and it highlights how even long‑standing regional links are now under threat.

The Manchester Connection: A Brief History

Manchester Airport has long been a key European gateway, drawing a mix of full‑service carriers, low‑cost operators, and regional airlines. For Aer Lingus, Manchester was more than a secondary airport; it was a critical “bridge” between Ireland’s main hub in Dublin and the UK’s northern economic heart. Historically, the airline operated a small but steady daily schedule between Dublin and Manchester, serving both business travellers and tourists heading to the UK’s bustling cities.

The route first gained prominence in the late 1990s when Aer Lingus sought to counter the growing dominance of Ryanair and EasyJet on Irish domestic flights. Over the years, the airline added a handful of aircraft to its Manchester base, turning the city into a satellite hub for trans‑Atlantic services that funnel passengers from the north to the Irish capital before they continue overseas.

Why the Cut?

The decision to possibly abandon the Manchester base is rooted in a mix of cost pressures and strategic realignment. A key driver is the steep rise in operating costs that has beleaguered airlines across the industry. Fuel prices – which climbed to record highs in 2023 – remain a major burden, and Aer Lingus is no exception. Coupled with wage negotiations and the lingering effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic on passenger demand, the airline’s financial headcount has become a point of focus.

“I’ve watched the numbers. The cost structure of a Manchester hub, with its fixed lease and staff overhead, has become unsustainable given the current load factor,” a senior Aer Lingus spokesperson told Aerotime. “We have to make tough decisions to preserve the long‑term health of the airline.”

The airline’s CFO, in an internal briefing cited by the article, emphasised that the Manchester base has a comparatively low yield – the amount of revenue per passenger seat – and that it is increasingly cannibalising traffic from the main Dublin hub. The figure of 200 jobs cited in the article is derived from a mix of ground staff, customer service personnel, and a small cadre of pilots and cabin crew who are dedicated to the Manchester operations.

In the broader context, the decision is part of a larger trend where airlines are consolidating their hub network to focus on profitability. For example, British Airways recently reduced its presence at Liverpool, while Ryanair trimmed a handful of secondary airports across the UK and Europe. Aer Lingus’s approach mirrors that of other legacy carriers that have re‑evaluated the viability of regional bases post‑pandemic.

Links to Local Impact

The potential job loss does not happen in a vacuum. Manchester’s local economy is tightly intertwined with the aviation sector. The city’s airport generates more than £5 billion in annual output and supports approximately 27,000 jobs, according to data from the Department for Transport. The closure of Aer Lingus’s operations would have a multiplier effect, reducing spending by staff and diminishing ancillary services such as catering, maintenance, and ground handling.

An earlier article on Manchester Airport’s official website (link provided in the Aerotime piece) highlighted a recent survey that found over 300 jobs at the airport were “at risk” due to the departure of several airlines, including low‑cost carriers. The local council’s economic development office issued a statement acknowledging the “significant impact” such decisions could have on the city’s growth strategy.

While the Aerotime article cites no official confirmation from Aer Lingus, it notes that the airline is currently in talks with the Irish government and the European Union’s aviation regulatory bodies to seek potential incentives or subsidies. This is not the first time Aer Lingus has engaged in dialogue with authorities over the viability of its UK routes; a 2022 press release (linked within the article) detailed a similar discussion concerning the airline’s withdrawal from Belfast.

Alternatives on the Table

Despite the bleak picture, there are possible routes that Aer Lingus might take to avoid a complete exit from Manchester. The article outlines three potential scenarios:

1. Operational Consolidation – The airline could reduce its flight frequency to Manchester and shift more traffic to the main Dublin hub. This would mean fewer aircraft based in Manchester but would keep the city on the route map.

2. Strategic Partnerships – Aer Lingus has a longstanding partnership with Aer Club and other regional carriers. A joint venture or code‑share arrangement could enable the airline to maintain a presence in Manchester through a shared infrastructure model, reducing overheads.

3. Ground Handling Agreements – By negotiating a reduced‑cost ground handling agreement with a third‑party provider, the airline could keep its planes on the tarmac without bearing the full lease and staffing costs.

These options, however, would still involve significant cost savings and a shift in the airline’s operational footprint. In the event of a hard closure, the company would likely repurpose its Manchester fleet for other European routes, potentially focusing on the rapidly growing London‑Manchester corridor via hubs like London Heathrow or Gatwick.

Industry Reactions

Within the industry, the news has triggered a flurry of speculation. A leading airline analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The airline’s decision reflects a broader trend where legacy carriers are tightening their belts, especially in secondary markets that have been cannibalised by low‑cost rivals.” Meanwhile, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a statement that any base closure would need to meet stringent safety and operational criteria, ensuring that passengers’ travel experience remains unaffected.

A passenger advocacy group, the UK Traveller’s Association, posted a brief statement warning that such closures could lead to “reduced connectivity and higher fares for travellers in the north of England.” The group has called on the government to explore measures to offset potential negative impacts on the local economy.

The Road Ahead

For Aer Lingus, the decision will hinge on a balance between fiscal prudence and market presence. While the airline remains a vital link between Ireland and the UK, the financial realities of maintaining a small hub in Manchester may outweigh the strategic benefits. The potential 200‑job loss will ripple through Manchester’s economy and could signal a shift in how airlines view regional airports in the post‑pandemic era.

In the final analysis, the story is still unfolding. Aer Lingus has yet to confirm or deny the closure, and the outcome may depend on negotiations with government bodies, the performance of competing airlines, and the broader recovery trajectory of global air travel. Regardless of the decision, the case of Manchester underscores a growing theme in the industry: that the old model of multiple regional hubs is increasingly being reassessed in favour of streamlined, high‑yield networks. Only time will reveal whether Manchester will remain in Aer Lingus’s plans or be written off as a casualty of the airline’s cost‑cutting drive.