Cabin crew working for Aer Lingus at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 have launched a strike from Thursday 30 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, following a dispute over pay and conditions.
According to The Irish Times, the walkout involves crew members based in the UK who say they are paid significantly less than colleagues in Ireland for the same work.
Further strike dates confirmed
As reported by International Airport Review, additional strike action is scheduled for 9–11 November, 14 November, and 16–18 November 2025 if no agreement is reached.
Unite the Union claims that Aer Lingus cabin crew based in Manchester earn a starting salary of £17,640.25, compared with over €29,833.26 for Irish-based staff. The union also alleges that UK staff receive lower overnight allowances on long-haul US routes, leaving some workers “taking second jobs to survive.” (Secret Manchester)
Flight disruption expected
Aer Lingus said it is attempting to re-accommodate affected passengers and has published live updates on its official travel alerts page.
Services to New York, Orlando, and Barbados are among those most likely to be delayed or cancelled, as the Manchester-based long-haul routes depend heavily on the striking crews.
Knock-on effects for local transport
The disruption will not only affect air travellers but also private-hire and airport-transfer operators who serve Manchester Airport. Taxi and minibus companies could see:
- Reduced passenger flow on strike days.
- Last-minute cancellations or rescheduled pick-ups as passengers are re-booked.
- Operational challenges due to delayed arrivals and flight diversions.
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What travellers should do
- Check flights early via Aer Lingus’s travel updates page.
- Arrive ahead of time at Manchester Airport, as queues and delays are expected.
- Keep transfer bookings flexible, ensuring drivers can adapt to flight changes.
- Monitor ongoing negotiations, as further walkouts could be announced if talks fail.
Broader industry impact
The industrial dispute adds to a series of airline and ground-handling strikes seen across UK airports this year, reflecting mounting cost-of-living tensions across the aviation sector. Condé Nast Traveller notes that similar unrest has already affected Heathrow and Gatwick, signalling a potentially difficult winter travel season.
DM News Commentary
For taxi, minibus, and chauffeur operators, these strikes highlight the importance of adaptable scheduling and proactive communication with clients. Airport transfer services should prepare for fluctuating demand and ensure flexibility in handling delays or cancellations. As pay disputes continue to surface across aviation, further disruptions this winter remain a realistic possibility for both air passengers and the ground-transport industry.
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