AER LINGUS COULD cut up to 500 jobs as the airline plans to reduce its flight capacity.

Ireland’s flag carrier confirmed in a statement that it will be cutting roles and making changes to its network.

The proposed cuts come as the airline seeks to slim down its operations and become more cost-efficient. Part of this restructuring will see its flight capacity lower by 6%.

The network changes will begin to take effect from late September and continue into next summer, affecting some long-haul and short-haul flights.

Three flights from Dublin to cities in the US will be discontinued, while a flight servicing Dublin to Seattle will only be available in the summer.

Three flights from Dublin to cities in Europe will be available only in the summer, and a flight from Dublin to Split in Croatia will be discontinued.

“These changes could see up to 500 employees leaving the airline,” Aer Lingus said.

It said the airline has focused on reducing supplier costs and has reduced senior management roles by around 25%.

“In the next stage, the airline proposes to reduce wider employee costs in Head Office functions by approximately 25% and make network changes to remove lower margin flying.”

It said it would work with its staff and their representatives on the planned job cuts.

The airline cited a “continued challenging macroeconomic environment”, increased transatlantic competitor capacity, and increases in supplier costs and carbon costs as reasons for the drastic measures.

The “increasing seasonality” of the airline’s business and increases in fuel costs were also mentioned as challenges leading to the action.

In Q1 of this year, the airline suffered losses of €103 million.

Aer Lingus chief Lynne Embleton said: “An efficient cost base, coupled with investment in our customer experience will enable Aer Lingus to fulfil its ambition to be the airline of choice connecting Europe with North America, support future growth and continue to provide connectivity and significant economic contribution to Ireland.”