SATURDAY JAN 11, 2025
×
Search AeroXplorer
Aer Lingus to Drop Belfast Flights to London Heathrow

Aer Lingus to Drop Belfast Flights to London Heathrow

BY EDWIN SIMS 10/22/2022 AGO 0 COMMENTS

According to the trade union based in Dublin, Ireland, Aer Lingus will end their flights from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to London Heathrow at the end of October. British Airways will be replacing this route with three daily flights as Aer Lingus faces the expiration of its air operator's license, and the union blames this entirely on Brexit. Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, airlines must have a license to operate domestic flights within the UK. For the past two years, Aer Lingus has been operating the Belfast-London shuttle which will soon be turned over to BA.

Aer Lingus will no longer operate the Belfast City-London shuttle as their license to do so reaches expiration. Photo: Jamie Chapman | AeroXplorer

Any passenger that booked a flight from Belfast City to London Heathrow was instructed to turn up for their flights as usual, but to expect a British Airways aircraft instead. Aer Lingus currently operates the Airbus A320-200s on this route. British Airways will most likely use an Airbus A319 or A320. 

 



ADVERTISEMENT

 

Aer Lingus was operating under a wet-lease arrangement which was not said to be permanent. Whilst the UK Civil Aviation Organisation has attempted to come to an agreement with the airline, it seems there has not been much luck. The UK CAA points to the Brexit regulations regarding domestic operations of airlines within the UK, despite the organization being blamed for prohibiting operations.

 

New Brexit regulations require airlines operating domestic routes within the UK to hold an operating license. Photo: Lucas Wu | AeroXplorer

 

According to the Union, approximately 30 Aer Lingus cabin crew members impacted by the route restructuring will be assigned to a new location. As of this time, 13 will be reassigned to customer support roles in Belfast itself, 14 will transfer to Dublin, and three have chosen the option of unpaid leave.

Edwin Sims
Aviation Photographer

Comments (0)

Add Your Comment

SHARE

TAGS

ROUTES aerlingus britishairways ba flightroute expiration

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Could You Survive a Plane Crash? The Unlikely Science of Plane Crash Survival With air travel consistently being heralded as the safest form of public transport, most of us do not board a plane pondering our chances of survival in the event of a crash. But, is it possible to survive one? INFORMATIONAL READ MORE »
Maldivian Airlines Introduces First-Ever Widebody Aircraft, Plans New China Flights Maldivian, the government-owned national airline of the Maldives, has just welcomed its first-ever wide body aircraft: the Airbus A330-200. With the new aircraft, the carrier also plans brand-new long haul international flights to China. NEWS READ MORE »
Thousands of Flights Impacted as Winter Storm Blair Hits U.S. Winter Storm Blair has unleashed a huge blast of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures across the Central and Eastern United States. As of Sunday afternoon, over 6,700 flights and counting have been disrupted. This includes cancelations and significant delays leaving passengers scrambling to change flights and adjust travel plans. NEWS READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE