Aer Lingus, the Irish airline that still exists despite Ryanair's best efforts, has announced plans to cut up to 500 jobs under a new cost-cutting plan. The axe will fall on 290 head office roles at Dublin Airport, 140 cabin crew positions, and 70 pilots, leaving the remaining 5,500 or so employees to wonder who's next.

The airline cites a laundry list of grievances for the proposed cuts: the 'continued challenging macro-economic environment,' increased transatlantic competition, fuel costs, and first quarter 2026 losses of €103m (£87m). In other words, the usual suspects that airlines blame when they need to trim the fat.

As part of the plan, Aer Lingus will reduce flight capacity by 6%, achieved by ditching 'poor performing routes.' Translation: Dublin to Denver, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, and Split are getting the boot, while Seattle, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Malta will become summer-only flings after October and November 2026. Customers affected will be 'contacted directly and provided with re-accommodation or refund options,' which is corporate speak for 'good luck getting a human on the phone.'

The airline also plans to retire two A330 and four A320 aircraft from peak summer 2027, presumably to save on parking fees.

CEO Lynne Embleton, who probably didn't get the memo about avoiding clichés, said the 'transformation aims to set Aer Lingus up for the future' and will allow the airline to 'fulfil its ambition to be the airline of choice connecting Europe with North America.' She also mentioned a 'significant economic contribution to Ireland,' which is easy to say when you're not the one being handed a pink slip.

Irish trade union Fórsa called the job losses 'a profound shock to workers across the airline,' and promised to engage with management to 'minimise the need for compulsory redundancies.' Because nothing says 'we care' like a union fighting to save jobs while the airline books a 12-15% operating margin to attract investment.

Aer Lingus aims to achieve that margin by September 2026, with changes continuing into summer 2027. So if you were planning a non-stop to Denver, book now - or don't.