Is Aer Lingus Really Pulling Out Of Manchester Airport?

Aer Lingus has triggered a wave of anger with its threat to pull out of operations at Manchester Airport. More than 200 workers, including around 150 cabin crew represented by Unite, have been put at immediate risk of redundancy.

For UK holidaymakers, especially those using Aer Lingus to reach Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and other US destinations, the big question is simple: Is this just hardball over strike action or a real closure that could affect future holidays?

Is Closure at Manchester a Real Threat?

According to Unite, formal redundancy notices have been issued, which suggests Aer Lingus is treating the potential closure of its Manchester base as more than just a rumour.

The airline says the base is "underperforming", but Unite argues Aer Lingus has not provided any evidence to back that up, despite repeated requests.

Unite also points out that:

• Aer Lingus recorded an operating profit of €205 million last year

• It is projecting around £35 million in profit from just two aircraft operating three long-haul routes from Manchester

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has described it as "outrageous" that such a profitable airline is threatening to close the base and put hundreds of jobs at risk. Unite say Aer Lingus has "serious questions to answer" about how it has reached this point.

So, is closure a genuine business decision or a pressure tactic in an ongoing industrial dispute? Right now, both feel possible, and that's what's fuelling so much uncertainty.

How Did We Get Here? The Pay Dispute and Strike Action

The current crisis comes on the back of an ongoing pay dispute between Aer Lingus and Manchester-based cabin crew.

The dispute centres on pay differences between Dublin-based crew and Manchester-based crew, with strike action beginning on 30th October 2025.

Talks between union and airline broke down, with no resolution. This led to further strike dates and a knock-on impact on flights, including reroutes with extra stops and some cancellations

At the same time, Aer Lingus has continued to cancel and adjust flights, which has naturally been linked in people's minds to the announcement that the Manchester base might close.

In reality, many of these cancellations are more likely tied to aircraft repositioning and route changes linked to the strikes, but the timing has added petrol to the fire.

What Unite Says Aer Lingus Is (Not) Sharing

Unite says it has formally requested detailed information from Aer Lingus under Section 188 of the Employment Rights Act, including:

• The full business rationale for closing the Manchester base

• Manchester-specific financial modelling

• The modelling behind claims that the aircraft could earn more elsewhere

• Timelines and role breakdowns for any closure

According to Unite, the company's written response has so far, not provided all of this information and states that some of it is "unlikely to be necessary."

As a result, Unite says it does not currently have enough information to understand what Aer Lingus is actually proposing or whether closure is genuinely justified. Without that, it argues, meaningful consultation can't take place.

Unite regional officer John O'Neill says staff at Manchester are understandably "distressed and anxious about their futures" and deserve clear answers from their employer.

Has the Strike Been Paused?

Yes, for now.

Cabin crew at the Manchester base voted for further strike action, but Unite has said it is prepared to pause that action in order to create space for serious talks about the future of the base.

Unite has stated focus is now on saving jobs and getting Aer Lingus to engage "in good faith".

What This Means If You're Flying from Manchester

If you already have Aer Lingus flights booked from Manchester, flights are still operating. Beyond some disruption caused by strike-related aircraft movements, services from Manchester have largely returned to normal for now.

You don't need to panic-rebook today. Until Aer Lingus confirms a final decision on the base and its routes, your existing booking still stands.

If your trip is ATOL-protected via a package holiday, your tour operator is your first port of call if anything changes.

If you are currently considering booking flights with Aer Lingus from Manchester just be aware this is a live, developing situation. You don't necessarily need to avoid Aer Lingus entirely, but it's sensible to book in a way that gives you options if the Manchester base does end up closing or routes are reduced.

Magic in a Minute

Aer Lingus has put over 200 Manchester-based staff at risk of redundancy and is threatening to shut its Manchester base. But with strong profits and unanswered questions, Unite believes the airline hasn't justified the move. Flights are largely operating as normal for now, so if you've booked Aer Lingus from Manchester to Orlando or elsewhere, keep an eye on updates, but don't feel you need to scrap your holiday plans just yet.