Aer Lingus and Drag Queen Avryll Nitrate Shine at Manchester Pride Parade

Aer Lingus made a colorful and bold statement at this year’s Manchester Pride, with Cabin Services Manager Craig Fitzgerald, also known as Drag Queen Avryll Nitrate, taking center stage.

Aer Lingus at Manchester Pride

On Saturday, August 24th, Manchester Pride returned to the city streets, featuring Aer Lingus as a proud partner for the first time. The airline, known for its active participation in Dublin Pride, extended its support to Manchester to honor its LGBTQI+ employees based in the city through its Proud Flies support network.

The parade, which embraced the theme "Buzzin' to be Queer - A Hive of Progress," saw the streets of Manchester adorned with rainbows and festive spirit. Aer Lingus joined the celebration with a unique flair, thanks to Craig Fitzgerald, who is well-known in the Dublin LGBTQ+ scene as Drag Queen Avryll Nitrate.

Avryll Nitrate: A Star of the Parade

Making her debut at Manchester Pride, Avryll Nitrate, aka Craig Fitzgerald, led the Aer Lingus contingent in the parade. "I’ve been so excited for this day," Craig shared. "Manchester is such an amazing city, and I’ve had such a great welcome."

Craig highlighted the significance of Pride events like Manchester's, which draw attendees from across the globe. "It’s amazing to bring together so many people all connected by our community and our desire to be true to ourselves and express who we are," Craig added.

Aer Lingus' Commitment to Inclusivity

Anne Kiely, Aer Lingus Chief People Officer, emphasized the importance of the airline's participation in Manchester Pride: "At Aer Lingus, we’re putting diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront of everything we do as a company. It is incredibly important to us to create a workplace in which every person on our team feels comfortable being themselves."

Kiely noted that Manchester Pride provided a celebratory occasion for Aer Lingus employees, their families, and friends, reinforcing the airline's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Proud Flies: Fostering an Inclusive Workplace

Aer Lingus' participation in Pride events is part of its broader Diversity and Inclusion program, which includes the Proud Flies initiative. This internal network aims to promote an open and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees, ensuring that they feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. Proud Flies has also introduced various initiatives, such as health and wellbeing workshops, to support and educate both employees and managers.

A Perfect Theme for Manchester

Reflecting on the parade's theme, Craig Fitzgerald remarked, "Manchester has been a hive of progress for the LGBTQ+ community. Right in the middle of The Village is the Alan Turing memorial, which reminds us how far we’ve come. Pride is still a protest, and that’s why it was so important to be here, and I’m proud that the company I work for lends its full support."

Craig concluded by expressing the joy of being part of such a meaningful event: "Making people smile is what I do. Whether it’s as cabin crew, looking after passengers, or performing on stage—it's all about people."

With Aer Lingus' involvement in Manchester Pride, the airline continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every employee is encouraged to be their true self.