Aer Lingus has axed all long-haul flights from a major UK airport and potentially put hundreds of jobs at risk.
The Irish airline has decided to cut its transatlantic routes from Manchester Airport.
From March 31, 2026, the carrier will no longer fly to long-haul destinations from the busy hub.
The Manchester to New York route will not be available via Aer Lingus from February 23, 2026.
Meanwhile, flights from Manchester to Orlando and Barbados will also stop from March 31.
To help affected customers, a service will run from Dublin to Barbados from April to May.
The airline clarified that there should be no ‘impact to operations before these dates’.
Flights between Manchester and Ireland by Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional (Emerald Airlines) also won’t be affected.
The Irish airline has decided to cut its transatlantic routes from Manchester Airport
From March 31, 2026, the carrier will no longer fly to long-haul destinations from the busy hub
The airline expressed how it understood the news was ‘disappointing’ and went on to ‘apologise for the disruption to our customers’.
In a statement on its website, Aer Lingus added: ‘All impacted customers are being informed of the cancellation of flights directly and provided with reaccommodation and refund options.
‘We appreciate our customers’ patience and cooperation during this time, as we contact customers directly regarding their flights.
‘If you have already contacted us to request an alternative flight or refund, please be assured that we are working on your request and will be in touch in due course.’
An Aer Lingus spokesperson told Daily Mail: ‘Customers are being informed directly of the cancellation of flights and provided with reaccommodation and refund options.
‘Aer Lingus will continue to engage with staff representative groups to discuss the phased reduction in operations, redeployment opportunities and the terms of a severance package at the Manchester Base.
‘Aer Lingus acknowledges that this is a very difficult time for colleagues based in Manchester and will seek to ensure that colleagues are kept informed and supported as discussions evolve during the next phase of the consultation.’
Meanwhile, a Manchester Airport spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘Aer Lingus has taken the decision to stop offering long haul flights from its Manchester base – but it is important to be clear it will retain a significant presence here in Manchester thanks to its short-haul network.
‘All Aer Lingus’s long-haul routes from Manchester – New York, Orlando and Barbados – are also served by other airlines operating here so it doesn’t affect our overall connectivity meaning Northern passengers still have the full benefit of the greatest international route network of any UK airport outside London.’
The Manchester to New York route will not be available via Aer Lingus from February 23, 2026
It comes after Aer Lingus previously announced it would be stopping all ticket sales for all transatlantic flights from its Manchester base.
At the time, the carrier said its Manchester long-haul operating margin performance ‘continues to significantly lag behind that of Aer Lingus’s Irish long haul operating margin’.
In a statement on its website, Aer Lingus said: ‘We are currently undergoing a period of uncertainty on transatlantic services at our Manchester base.‘
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Aer Lingus axes all long-haul flights from major UK airport leaving hundreds of jobs at risk