Aer Lingus is ghosting Manchester because the profit margins aren't juicy enough for the suits. The carrier just put two hundred jobs on the chopping block and stopped selling tickets for transatlantic flights from the UK hub after March 31. This decision effectively wipes out routes to New York, Orlando, and Barbados while leaving staff scrambling.
Management claims this shutdown is still only a proposal under consultation. However, leaked memos suggest the choice is already made since efforts to boost returns failed. Executives admitted the base makes money but complained that the financial yield lags behind other parts of the company.
Unite union boss Sharon Graham slammed the move as economic vandalism against a loyal workforce. She noted that the airline posted massive operating gains recently, yet still plans to axe a profitable setup. The union is currently balloting members for industrial action, with a vote closing late January.
Tension has been brewing for months after cabin crew struck over pay disputes last autumn. Workers feel betrayed since the routes were forecast to generate millions in profit. Representatives demand to see specific financial data justifying why a money-making operation needs to die.
The airline suggested it might move staff to different hubs or offer redundancy packages. This leaves the local aviation community facing a grim spring with few options. Regional officer John O’Neill promised a fight to keep the base alive before the final curtain falls.
Management claims this shutdown is still only a proposal under consultation. However, leaked memos suggest the choice is already made since efforts to boost returns failed. Executives admitted the base makes money but complained that the financial yield lags behind other parts of the company.
Unite union boss Sharon Graham slammed the move as economic vandalism against a loyal workforce. She noted that the airline posted massive operating gains recently, yet still plans to axe a profitable setup. The union is currently balloting members for industrial action, with a vote closing late January.
Tension has been brewing for months after cabin crew struck over pay disputes last autumn. Workers feel betrayed since the routes were forecast to generate millions in profit. Representatives demand to see specific financial data justifying why a money-making operation needs to die.
The airline suggested it might move staff to different hubs or offer redundancy packages. This leaves the local aviation community facing a grim spring with few options. Regional officer John O’Neill promised a fight to keep the base alive before the final curtain falls.
