Unite, the Union is to ballot workers of Aer Lingus UK over the airlines proposed closure of its base at Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC) which will result in around 200 redundancies.
Rumours have been circulating for some time about potential closure of the base after Aer Lingus confirmed it was consulting on potential closure of its long-haul operation at the airport but Unite admits that it does not yet have confirmation of the airlines plans despite balloting staff on potential industrial action.
Of the people employed at the base, around 130 of those are cabin crew who work on flights from Manchester to Barbados, New York JFK and Orlando.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham claims that the Manchester base is “a profitable base” adding that the plans by the airline “amounts to simple economic vandalism, while showing a complete disregard for its loyal workforce.”
This contradicts Aer Lingus’ statement however which said: “Despite all of the work and best efforts of the team, the Manchester long-haul operating margin performance continues to significantly lag behind that of Aer Lingus’s Irish long-haul operating margin. This situation has prompted a necessary consideration of the long-term viability of the Manchester base.”
The ballot by Unite ends on the 26th January 2026 with strikes potentially beginning in late February if staff back the industrial action.
Unite regional officer John O’Neill said: “Unite has made it very clear to Aer Lingus that if it is talking about the possibility of closure it must give us proper information, rather than hiding from us. No stone must be left unturned in pursuing all options in keeping the base operational and preserving jobs.
“Unite will not back down from this crisis without a fight and we are confident a strong ballot result will show this.”
In response to the ballot, an Aer Lingus spokesperson said: “Following a series of consultation meetings over November and December regarding the future of the Manchester base operated by Aer Lingus’s UK subsidiary (Aer Lingus UK), staff at Manchester were informed on 8th January that the process will now enter a phase of consultation for the purpose of mitigating job losses which would occur in the event of a base closure. While consideration of proposals for avoiding and/or reducing redundancies will continue, it is important to also address contingencies in the event that the base closes.
“We acknowledge that this is an uncertain and difficult time for our colleagues in Manchester and we will seek to ensure that colleagues are kept informed and supported.
“We are also taking commercial steps to minimise customer disruption in the event of a closure of the Manchester base from which Aer Lingus UK operates transatlantic flights from Manchester to New York, Orlando and Barbados. As part of this, Aer Lingus is no longer selling transatlantic flights to/from Manchester for travel from 31 March 2026. There is no impact on Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional flights between Manchester and Ireland.
“Customers already booked on Aer Lingus UK transatlantic services (New York, Orlando and Barbados) from Manchester from 31 March onwards and who are concerned about their travel arrangements will be offered a refund or re-accommodation options in due course. We appreciate our customers’ patience and cooperation during this time and we will be contacting customers directly regarding their flights.”