Aer Lingus to cut up to 500 jobs and scrap routes after €103million quarterly loss

Aer Lingus has announced plans to cut up to 500 jobs as the Irish carrier seeks to reduce costs amid mounting financial pressures and growing competition on transatlantic routes.

The airline revealed the restructuring programme today after reporting a first-quarter loss of €103million, citing a challenging economic climate, rising fuel costs and increased competition on North American services.

The proposed cuts represent a significant reduction for the Dublin-based airline, which currently employs around 6,000 people.

Changes are due to begin from late September and continue through to summer 2027.

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The workforce reduction will affect several parts of the business, with head office operations at Dublin Airport expected to bear the largest share of the cuts.

Around 290 administrative roles are set to be removed, along with 140 cabin crew positions and 70 pilot roles.

Aer Lingus also confirmed it will reduce flight capacity by six per cent, focusing on routes it said are underperforming.

As part of the network changes, the airline will reduce the use of two A330 wide-body aircraft and four A320 jets during the peak summer 2027 season.

The carrier said customers affected by the changes would be contacted directly with options to rebook or receive a refund.

Three US destinations will be removed entirely from the Aer Lingus network under the plans.

Services from Dublin to Denver will end after September 28, followed by Minneapolis on October 24 and Las Vegas on December 3.

Flights to Seattle will continue but will operate only during the summer season from late October.

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The Dublin to Split route in Croatia will be withdrawn completely after September 29.

The airline said the changes were "essential to support required improvement in its operating margin, which is needed to underpin future investment".

A spokesman added that improving cost efficiency would help Aer Lingus pursue its long-term network and growth ambitions.

Chief executive Lynne Embleton said: "The transformation aims to set Aer Lingus up for the future."

Ms Embleton added: "It will allow us to fulfil our ambition to be the airline of choice connecting Europe with North America" while delivering a "significant economic contribution to Ireland".

The airline said it is targeting an operating margin of between 12 and 15 per cent as it seeks to attract future investment.

Irish trade union Fórsa criticised the announcement, warning the proposals would have a major impact on employees.

A union spokesman said: "The proposed job losses will come as a profound shock to workers across the airline.

"Our immediate priority is to engage with Aer Lingus to ensure that every possible step is taken to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies."

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