A prominent airline has officially announced the discontinuation of transatlantic flights from Manchester Airport. Following Aer Lingus’ confirmation, the change is set to take effect shortly. Starting from February 23, flights from Manchester to New York JFK will cease, with journeys to Orlando and Barbados ending on March 31. However, a new service will be available for flights between Dublin and Barbados.

Speculation about this decision had been circulating in recent weeks before the announcement was made. Affected travelers have already been contacted and given the choice to receive a refund or reschedule their flights. Notably, Aer Lingus confirmed that services between Ireland and Manchester will not be impacted. The airline expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to its customers.

In response to the shift, Aer Lingus held meetings with staff to outline the terms of a severance package at the Manchester base. The airline clarified that operations between Manchester and Ireland will continue as usual. Plans are in place to run a Dublin to Barbados service in April and May to accommodate affected passengers pending necessary approvals.

Acknowledging the challenging situation, Aer Lingus affirmed its commitment to keeping Manchester-based colleagues informed and supported throughout the consultation process. The decision to discontinue transatlantic routes from Manchester was attributed to the operating margin not meeting expectations compared to routes originating from Ireland.

Following the announcement, Manchester Airport emphasized that while Aer Lingus will no longer offer long-haul flights from its Manchester base, the airline will maintain a substantial presence through its short-haul network. The airport reassured passengers that other airlines operate the same long-haul routes, ensuring continued connectivity for Northern passengers.