Ryanair to Close Berlin Base as Flights Cut Back
Ryanair has announced plans to shut down its Berlin base, with operations set to end on 24 October. The airline will remove its seven aircraft currently based in the German capital and reassign them to other European airports. The decision comes alongside a reduction in services, with the carrier planning to cut its Berlin flight schedule by half during the winter season.
The airline described Berlin as the "most failing airport in Europe", pointing to a decline in passenger traffic. Figures cited by the carrier show numbers falling from 36 million in 2019 to 26 million last year. Ryanair said the drop reflects wider challenges in the German aviation market, which it believes has struggled to recover compared with other European countries.
Key changes to Ryanair’s Berlin operations
- Base closure effective 24 October
- Seven aircraft to be moved to other EU airports
- Winter flight schedule reduced by 50%
- Capacity shifted to countries with lower aviation taxes
Ryanair said its decision is linked to high aviation taxes and rising operational costs in Germany. The airline noted that aviation tax has increased from €7.30 in 2019 to €15.50 per passenger, while security and air traffic control fees have also gone up. It added that airport charges have risen since the pandemic and are expected to increase further in the coming years.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport responded that it was surprised by the announcement, stating that discussions with airlines are ongoing and no further increase in airport charges is planned. The development also follows a decision by Germany’s Finance Ministry to scale back flight taxes to earlier levels, with officials saying reductions should be passed on to passengers.
“Since 2019, Ryanair has been forced to close its bases in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart (resulting in the loss of 13 based aircraft) in addition to stopping all flights to Dresden, Leipzig and Dortmund."
Fewer flights from Berlin may affect route choice and pricing, particularly during the winter season when schedules are already reduced. With aircraft being moved to other countries, some routes may no longer be available, while others could see changes in frequency. This could push travellers to look at other nearby airports or rethink their plans based on what flights are available and how much they cost.
