Aer Lingus Confirms Closure of Manchester Long-Haul Base

Aer Lingus confirmed it would permanently close its Manchester long-haul base on 31 March 2026.

The decision followed months of internal review into the base’s long-term performance and viability. Nonstop flights between Manchester and New York – JFK were scheduled to end earlier, on 23 February 2026.

Aer Lingus also planned to withdraw long-haul services from Manchester to Orlando and Bridgetown, Barbados. The airline did not immediately confirm the final operating dates for those additional routes.

Underperformance Drives Decision

Aer Lingus previously acknowledged that its Manchester long-haul operations underperformed compared with Ireland-based routes. The airline said it had explored several options before deciding to shut the base entirely.

Earlier in January, Aer Lingus stopped selling transatlantic tickets from Manchester to limit potential customer disruption.

Customer Support and Reaccommodation

Aer Lingus said it contacted all affected customers directly with cancellation notices, refund options, and reaccommodation details. The airline planned to operate Dublin–Barbados flights in April and May, subject to regulatory approval.

Those services aimed to assist passengers impacted by the Manchester–Barbados route withdrawal.

What Remains Unchanged

Short-haul flights between Manchester and Ireland were not affected by the base closure. Aer Lingus and Aer Lingus Regional services on those routes continued as normal.

The airline continued to operate transatlantic flights to New York – JFK and Orlando from Dublin. Aer Lingus apologised for the disruption and thanked customers for their patience during the transition period.