Photo: Aer Lingus
While Aer Lingus pulls all long-haul flights from Manchester, Aer Lingus Regional is expanding capacity on its Belfast City-Southampton schedule.
Operated by Emerald Airlines, Aer Lingus Regional – the largest operator at Belfast City Airport – is expanding its links with Southampton. The regional carrier is adding more than 17,000 seats on the Belfast City-Southampton route. The move has been spurred on by the growing demand for cruise-linked travel from one of the UK’s busiest cruise ports.
The airline has added eight additional weekly flights to its schedule from April 2026, as well as new mid-morning departures from Belfast on Saturday mornings. Meanwhile, increased frequency throughout the week will offer greater flexibility for all passengers, whether travelling for leisure or business.
“We are delighted to offer even more choice, flexibility and conveniently timed flights for passengers travelling between Belfast City Airport and Southampton,” said Ian Lough, Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines.
“These additional seats and improved timings will offer passengers even more choice this upcoming summer season.”
Speaking on behalf of Belfast City Airport, Ellie McGimpsey, Aviation Development Manager, said the airport is “committed to delivering strong regional connectivity from the heart of Belfast”.
She added that the expansion of Aer Lingus Regional’s Belfast City-Southampton service further builds on this, particularly ahead of the peak cruise season.
“Combined with our excellent security times, these additional frequencies and enhanced timings will ensure our passengers enjoy greater choice and convenience this summer.”
Will Aer Lingus close its Manchester base?
While Belfast City welcomes increased connectivity from Aer Lingus’ regional arm, the Irish flag carrier looks set to cease transatlantic flights from Manchester Airport in the UK. Ticket sales are expected to close from the end of March.
The airline has yet to confirm the closure of these routes, however tickets are no longer available beyond 31 March 2026. In a statement, Aer Lingus said it is “currently undergoing a period of uncertainty on transatlantic services at its Manchester base.”
Customers are being contacted regarding their flights and the airline reiterated that its short-haul flights between Manchester and Belfast, as well as Dublin in Ireland are not impacted by the decision.
The Irish carrier first announced its transatlantic flights from Manchester in 2020 with routes launched in late 2021 to New York JFK. The airline also serves Orlando International Airport and Bridgetown Grantley Adams International Airport from its Manchester base. Additional links to Boston that had been due to start in 2022 never materialised.
The airline currently employs around 200 people at its Manchester base. It will begin consulting with staff on mitigating job losses, which would occur in the event of base closure in the coming days. Reports that the airline had told its staff about the possible closure of its Manchester base were revealed back in November. The airline reportedly told staff that the long-haul operating margin performance from Manchester lagged behind that of its Irish long-haul operating margin.
Featured images: Belfast City Airport and Aer Lingus
