Aer Lingus to Shut Manchester Long-Haul Base by March 2026
Aer Lingus has confirmed it will suspend all transatlantic operations from Manchester at the end of the first quarter of 2026, effectively closing its only UK long-haul base. The final long-haul flight from the city will operate on March 31, 2026, bringing an end to services that have been in place since 2021.
Under the revised schedule, Aer Lingus will discontinue its Manchester–New York JFK route on February 23, 2026. In addition, the airline will shift its seasonal Manchester–Bridgetown, Barbados service to Dublin Airport for April and May 2026 in order to accommodate passengers who had already booked travel from the UK. The carrier said affected customers will be contacted directly with rebooking options.
The decision follows what Aer Lingus described as prolonged but ultimately unsuccessful negotiations with trade unions and employee representatives. While the Manchester base has been profitable since its launch, the airline said operating margins there were materially lower than at its other comparable bases, making the long-term economics unsustainable in the current cost environment. Rising operating expenses, productivity constraints, and competitive pressure in the North Atlantic market are understood to have weighed heavily on the final decision.
Aer Lingus emphasised that the move will not affect its short-haul operations between Manchester and Ireland. Flights linking Manchester with Dublin, Belfast, and other Irish destinations will continue as normal, preserving the airline’s role in connecting the UK regional market with its Irish network and onward connections via Dublin.
However, the carrier did not comment on the future status of its UK operating licence. Aer Lingus currently holds an Aer Lingus (United Kingdom) air operator certificate, which is used exclusively for its transatlantic services from Manchester. With the suspension of long-haul flights from the city, questions remain over whether the certificate will be retained for potential future use or allowed to lapse.
The closure marks a strategic retrenchment from UK-based long-haul flying and reflects a broader industry trend of airlines consolidating long-haul operations at core hubs where scale, connectivity, and crew productivity can be maximised. For Aer Lingus, Dublin remains central to its North Atlantic strategy, offering strong feed from both Europe and the UK, alongside joint venture coordination with transatlantic partners.
Manchester Airport had positioned the Aer Lingus base as a key long-haul growth success for the region, offering passengers direct access to North America without transiting London. Its closure will reduce long-haul choice from northern England, particularly for leisure and visiting friends and relatives traffic.
As Aer Lingus continues to refine its network and cost base, the Manchester exit underscores the challenges of sustaining long-haul operations from secondary hubs in an increasingly competitive and margin-sensitive transatlantic market.
Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com