Ryanair has announced it will close its seven-aircraft operating base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) from October 24
A Bristol Airport service could be impacted
Ryanair is preparing to cut flights from several UK airports after confirming it will shut a major base in Germany, a move that is expected to affect thousands of passengers.
The airline will close its seven‐aircraft base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which has a direct service with Bristol International Airport, on 24 October 2026, reducing winter capacity on routes to and from the German capital by 50 per cent, reports the Express.
Services linking Berlin with London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh are among those likely to face disruption. Ryanair currently operates multiple direct flights each week on these routes, with journey times of around two hours.
Ryanair will cut millions of UK seats(Image: Getty Images)
While the airline has yet to confirm which specific UK routes will be axed, it revealed that its Berlin passenger numbers will drop from 4.5 million to 2.2 million in 2027. The carrier further stated that more than two million Ryanair seats per year will be lost as a consequence of the closure.
Ryanair confirmed it will continue to serve Berlin, albeit using aircraft based outside Germany. All seven Berlin-based aircraft will be relocated to lower-cost airports in other EU countries, including Sweden, Slovakia, Albania and Italy.
The airline attributed the decision to soaring airport charges and aviation taxes in Germany.
Ryanair DAC 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.
The airline attributed the decision to soaring airport charges and aviation taxes in Germany(Image: Chris Radburn/PA Wire)
“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 also warned that further cuts in Germany were “now inevitable” without meaningful cost reform.
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.”
Ryanair confirmed that pilots and cabin crew based in Berlin have been informed of the planned base closure. Consultations with staff are set to commence imminently, with those affected being offered the opportunity to apply for alternative positions elsewhere within the airline’s European network.