A MAJOR airline has confirmed it is axing all long-haul flights from a UK airport – starting next month.
The airline will cancel its long-haul transatlantic routes to the US and the Caribbeans.
Aer Lingus will stop flying from Manchester to New York JFK from February 23.
The operator will then cease its flights to Orlando and Barbados from March 31.
In order to re-accommodate impacted passengers who were scheduled to travel to the Caribbean island from Manchester, the airline will run a service from Dublin to Barbados in April and May.
The affected customers have already been contacted and given options for a refund or rebooking.
The airline said that the developments will not affect Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional services between Ireland and Manchester.
A spokesperson told The Sun:
An airline spokesperson told The Sun: “Aer Lingus informed staff and their representatives at its Manchester base today that the airline’s Manchester transatlantic operations will fully cease as of and from 31st March 2026.
“Manchester-New York operations will cease from 23rd February 2026 and Aer Lingus plans to operate a service from Dublin to Barbados (subject to receipt of necessary approvals) during the months of April and May to reaccommodate affected customers.
“There is no impact to Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional (Emerald Airlines) flights between Manchester and Ireland. 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.”
In the past, the airline has said that its long-haul routes from Manchester had an operating margin that “significantly lags behind” that of Ireland.
About 200 employees at the base, which Aer Lingus launched in 2021, could be impacted if the closure goes ahead.