The budget airline has confirmed it will close its seven-aircraft operating base in Germany and reduce its flight capacity to and from the German capital
Carrington Walker Live News Journalist and Kris Boratyn
18:22, 03 May 2026Updated 18:29, 03 May 2026
The airline confirmed its Berlin passenger numbers will drop from 4.5 million to 2.2 million in 2027(Image: Getty)
Ryanair is poised to slash flights from several airports following confirmation it will shutter a significant base in Germany.
The budget carrier revealed it will close its seven-aircraft operating base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) from 24 October 2026. As part of the restructure, Ryanair confirmed it will halve its flight capacity to and from the German capital during its winter timetable.
This means routes linking Berlin with UK cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh are likely to face disruption. Ryanair presently operates direct flights from these airports to Berlin multiple times weekly, with journeys lasting approximately two hours, reports the Express.
Ryanair’s DAC CEO said “German aviation is broken”(Image: PA)
While the airline hasn’t specified exactly which UK routes will be axed, it revealed its Berlin passenger numbers will plummet from 4.5 million to 2.2 million in 2027.
The carrier also stated that over two million Ryanair seats annually will vanish as a consequence of the closure. Ryanair confirmed it will maintain Berlin services, but utilising aircraft stationed outside Germany.
All seven Berlin-based aircraft will be relocated to more affordable airports across other EU nations, including Sweden, Slovakia, Albania and Italy. The airline attributed the decision to escalating airport charges and aviation taxes 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.
“We regret to announce this planned closure of our seven aircraft Berlin base from 24 Oct 2026″(Image: SWNS)
“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 additional cuts in Germany were “now inevitable” without substantial cost reform, further stating: “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 has confirmed that Berlin-based pilots and cabin crew have been informed of the proposed base closure. Staff consultations are set to commence shortly, with those affected being offered the opportunity to apply for alternative positions elsewhere within the airline’s European network.
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