Massive job losses are to be introduced at Aer Lingus as the national carrier gears up for its most savage cutbacks yet.

The latest cost-cutting plan has been forced on the airline after bankers shut off funding to the troubled company, the Sunday Tribune has learned.

The airline had sought to fund aircraft purchases through standard aircraft finance deals, but lenders have told the carrier that until it pushes through a radical new re-structuring plan, no loans will be available to it.

The plan, which dwarfs any previous cuts at the airline, will involve large-scale job losses and outsourcing across a range of services. The airline has the main components already in place but wants new chief executive Christophe Mueller to be available to make the announcement.