Aer Lingus has proposed cutting up to 500 jobs under a new cost-cutting plan, with 290 roles at its Dublin Airport head office, 140 cabin crew positions and 70 pilot jobs under threat. The airline, which employs about 6,000 people, cited a challenging macro-economic environment, increased transatlantic competition, fuel costs and first quarter 2026 losses of €103m (£87m) as reasons for the move.
Under the plan, a 6% reduction in flight capacity will come into effect by removing “poor performing routes”. From late September 2026, continuing into summer 2027, Aer Lingus will discontinue services from Dublin to Denver, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Split, while Dublin to Seattle, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Malta will become summer-only operations. The changes will reduce the use of two A330 aircraft and four A320 aircraft for peak summer 2027.
“Aer Lingus proposes cutting 500 jobs, closing routes, citing €103m loss and rising costs.”
“The more cost efficient and productive the airline is, the more it will be able to fulfil its network and growth ambition,” a spokesperson said. The airline aims to achieve a 12%-15% operating margin to attract future investment. Chief executive Lynne Embleton said the “transformation aims to set Aer Lingus up for the future” and will allow it to “fulfil its ambition to be the airline of choice connecting Europe with North America”.
Irish trade union Fórsa said the proposed job losses “will come as a profound shock to workers across the airline” and that its “immediate priority” is to engage with Aer Lingus “to ensure that every possible step is taken to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies”.
Customers affected by network changes will be contacted directly and offered re-accommodation or refunds, the airline said. The consultation process will focus on reducing redundancies and securing future investment.