Ryanair to shut Berlin base, halve traffic over rising costs

Ryanair has announced plans to close its Berlin base from October 24, 2026, citing soaring airport charges and what it calls an increasingly uncompetitive aviation environment in Germany.

The move will see all seven aircraft currently based in Berlin redeployed to lower-cost European markets, including countries that have reduced or abolished aviation taxes. As a result, Ryanair expects to cut its Berlin traffic by 50% in 2027, reducing passenger numbers from around 4.5 million to 2.2 million annually.

The airline’s decision targets rising costs at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, where fees have increased by around 50% since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a further 10% hike planned between 2027 and 2029. Ryanair argues that these increases come despite a sharp decline in traffic, which has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

Beyond airport charges, the carrier also points to broader structural issues in Germany’s aviation sector, including higher passenger taxes, rising security fees, and increased air traffic control costs. According to Ryanair, these factors have made Germany less competitive compared to other European markets actively reducing costs to stimulate growth.

The closure will trigger staff consultations, although affected pilots and cabin crew are expected to be offered redeployment opportunities within Ryanair’s wider European network.

Despite the withdrawal of based aircraft, Ryanair will continue serving Berlin using aircraft stationed elsewhere. However, the airline warns that further capacity cuts in Germany could follow unless there are significant policy changes.

The announcement marks another setback for Berlin’s aviation recovery and highlights growing tensions between low-cost carriers and higher-cost airport and regulatory environments in Europe.