Ryanairhas confirmed it will close itsBerlinbase and axe thousands offlightsfrom the German capital. The airline said it intends to shut its seven-aircraft base at Berlin Airport on October 24, 2026, cutting the number of flights it operates to and from the city by 50% in its winter schedule.
Ryanairsaid all seven Berlin-based aircraft will be reallocated to lower-cost airports in otherEU states, includingSweden,Slovakia,AlbaniaandItaly, which have abolished aviation taxes. The airline blamed rising costs at Berlin Airport and across Germany for the decision.
READ MORE:Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and easyJet's latest boarding pass rules
READ MORE:Ryanair, Vueling and Iberia flights cancelled as major airport closes for 35 day
According toRyanair, Berlin Airport’s fees have increased by 50% sinceCovidand are due to rise by a further 10% between 2027 and 2029.
The airline also said Berlin’s traffic has fallen from 36 million passengers in 2019 to 26 million in 2025.
Ryanair said Germany’s aviation tax has more than doubled since 2019 from €7.30 to €15.50 per passenger.
It added that German security fees have doubled from €10 in 2024 to €20 per passenger by January 2028, while German air traffic control fees have trebled from €1 to €3.30 per passenger.
The airline said the base closure would result in the loss of more than two millionRyanair seatsper year and that its Berlin traffic will fall by 50% from 4.5 million passengers to 2.2 million in 2027. Ryanair added it will continue to serve Berlin but with aircraft based outside Germany.
RyanairDAC CEO Eddie Wilson said: “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.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
