The budget airline has confirmed it will shut its seven-aircraft operating base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) from October
Ryanair is poised to slash flights from several UK airports following confirmation it will shutter a significant base in Germany.
The budget carrier revealed it will close its seven-aircraft operation at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) from 24 October 2026. Alongside this development, Ryanair announced it will halve its flight capacity to and from the German capital throughout its winter timetable.
Consequently, routes linking Berlin with UK destinations such as London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh are anticipated to face disruption. The airline presently operates direct services from these airports to Berlin multiple times weekly, with journey times of approximately two hours, according to the Express.
While Ryanair hasn’t specified exactly which UK routes face the axe, it disclosed that Berlin passenger numbers will plummet from 4.5 million to 2.2 million in 2027.
The operator added that upwards of two million Ryanair seats annually will vanish as a consequence of the base closure. Ryanair confirmed it will maintain Berlin connections, albeit using aircraft stationed beyond Germany’s borders.
All seven Berlin-stationed aircraft will relocate to more economical airports across other EU nations, encompassing Sweden, Slovakia, Albania and Italy. The carrier attributed the decision to escalating airport fees and aviation levies in Germany.
Ryanair DAC CEO Eddie Wilson stated: “We regret to announce this planned closure of our seven aircraft Berlin base from 24 Oct 2026, but we have no alternative following the Airport’s latest 10% fee increase to its already high airport fees.
“This comes on top of the 50% increase in Berlin’s airport fees since 2019. Despite Berlin Airport losing 30% of its pre-Covid traffic thanks to its excessive airport charges, and Germany’s stupid aviation tax regime, they have now decided to increase charges by a further 10%, which will result in the loss of more than 2m Ryanair seats p.a. and seven based aircraft.
“Ryanair will still serve Berlin but on a/c based outside Germany and our Berlin traffic will fall by 50% from 4.5m to 2.2m pax in 2027.”
He added: “German aviation is broken. The Govt. admits that it is uncompetitive, yet there is no strategy to cut aviation taxes or high airport fees – despite Ryanair warning that Germany would lose traffic, connectivity, jobs and trade.”
Mr Wilson stated that additional reductions across Germany were “now inevitable” unless substantial cost reforms were implemented.
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He continued: “Efficient operations and competitive airport fees are the foundation which enable Ryanair to deliver long-term traffic growth and increased connectivity for airports and regions.
“This is impossible at Berlin following the German Govt’s failure to abolish its harmful aviation tax and Berlin Airport’s decision to again increase its already high airport fees.”
The airline confirmed that pilots and cabin crew stationed in Berlin have been informed of the proposed base closure.
Consultations with staff will commence in the near future, with affected personnel given the opportunity to seek alternative positions across the carrier’s European operations.




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