United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Aer Lingus to cut up to 1,500 jobs
Up to 1,500 jobs are set to go at Aer Lingus as part of a €74 million cost cutting programme.
The jobs will be cut through redundancy, early retirement and outsourcing with a deadline of November 1.
According to reports in the Irish Times, the company is looking to outsource all of its ground operations, catering and cargo services and make radical changes to the way it hires cabin crew.
Staff will be offered the opportunity to move to the outsourced providers, under the same terms as their current jobs, or take redundancy.
For cabin crew, Aer Lingus plans to close down its bases in London Heathrow and Shannon, giving staff the chance to relocate to Dublin or Cork.
For its transatlantic flights, the airline wants to employ cabin crew in the US on new terms and conditions, which are believed to include being paid by the flight hour and shorter holiday entitlements.
The airline also wants to implement a pay freeze until the end of 2009 for all remaining staff, and sick pay entitlements are being reduced.
Trade union SIPTU, which represents about 1,700 staff at the airline, said it will co-operate with Aer Lingus and the Labour Relations Commission to try to find alternatives, but it will also ballot for industrial action.
Aer Lingus said the cost-cutting programme was necessary to ensure the long-term independence of the airline.
The company is forecasting potential losses of over €100 million next year, depending on the cost of fuel.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Exploring Brooklands Museum with Alex Patterson
Global Tourism Challenges and Upcoming Events: A Conversation with Don Welsh
Peebles Barbeque: A Legacy of Flavor and Tradition
Exploring Bok Tower Gardens with Erica Smith
Rue’s Living Water Boat Cruises: Exploring Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes
Durango and Silverton Railroad: A Timeless Journey Through History and Scenic Beauty
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
Qatar Airways adding Manchester flights
EU entry-exit system delayed again
ATC strike in Greece could disrupt flights this week
Jet2 unveils Samos as new Greek destination for summer 2026
Icelandair launches inaugural flight to Nashville