Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus chief executive, said the Manchester's base’s operating margin was well below that of its Irish long-haul margin. Photograph: Dara Mac DonaillTrade unions representing staff at Aer Lingus’s Manchester base have accused the airline of “economic vandalism” in seeking to close a profitable base and showing “complete disregard” for its 200 staff at the site. The airline is now facing the possibility of further industrial action at the English base base after it gave another indication on Thursday of its plans to close the facility. The airline has seemed poised to close its Manchester operation for months. The union said it would ballot members on taking industrial action over the proposals, with the ballot to close on January 26th.

Source: The Irish Times January 10, 2026 09:07 UTC