Main points
- Ryanair will close its base in Berlin in October 2026 due to increased airport charges.
- The number of flights to and from Berlin will be reduced by 50% in the winter schedule, and aircraft will be relocated to countries with lower costs.
Ryanair is reducing its presence in Germany / Pexels
Irish airline Ryanair will close its base in Berlin on October 24, 2026. Europe's largest low-cost carrier currently has 7 aircraft in the German capital.
Why is the base in Berlin being closed?
All seven aircraft from the base in Berlin will be transferred to airports in other European Union countries, Ryanair said in a statement.
We are talking about countries with lower costs that have abolished aviation taxes:
- Sweden;
- Slovakia;
- Albania;
- and Italy.
This is a direct consequence of Berlin Airport's recent announcement of another 10% increase in charges between 2027 and 2029, while already high airport charges have increased by 50% since the COVID pandemic, even though passenger traffic in Berlin has fallen by around 30%.
– the statement says.
The company estimated that the fare increase in Berlin would lead to the loss of more than 2 million seats per year.
Ryanair emphasizes that such a deplorable situation has arisen allegedly due to Germany's failed aviation policy, which has failed its citizens.
Eddie Wilson
Ryanair CEO
German aviation is broken. The government acknowledges its uncompetitiveness, but has no strategy for cutting taxes or airport charges. Since 2019, Ryanair has been forced to close its bases in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart, and to stop flights to Dresden, Leipzig and Dortmund. And further cuts in Germany are inevitable.
The airline will continue to operate flights to Berlin for the time being, but with aircraft based outside Germany.
At the same time, Ryanair will reduce the number of flights to and from Berlin by 50% in the winter schedule.
Please note: Ryanair pilots and flight attendants in Berlin have already been informed of the closure of the base. All crew members will be offered jobs in other cities in Europe.
Why might Ryanair reduce the number of flights in the summer?
However, Ryanair previously warned that it may reduce the number of its flights if there is a risk of disruptions in the supply of jet fuel, the Financial Times writes.
In the event of a fuel shortage, an airline may cut up to 10-20% of flights in the summer.
We do not expect any disruptions until early May, but if the war (in the Middle East – Channel 24) continues, there is a risk of supply disruptions in Europe,
– said the company's CEO Michael O'Leary.
He added that overall, the airline has insured 80% of its fuel volumes well. However, for the remaining 20%, it has to pay almost twice as much – about $150 per barrel.
Note: Europe is suffering from disruptions in the supply of aviation fuel and skyrocketing prices due to the war in Iran. German Lufthansa has already announced that it will cancel 20,000 flights.
Where else can Ryanair go?
Ryanair is considering reducing flights to Malta due to airport delays caused by the introduction of a new EU entry/exit system. The company says passengers can wait up to 40 minutes due to the new procedures, which is negatively affecting the carrier's operations.
The CEO of the airline's Maltese subsidiary, David O'Brien, warned the government that if such conditions persist, Ryanair may reorient some of its capacity to other destinations in the Mediterranean.