The airline announces a 50% reduction in flights as it closes its Berlin base due to rising operational costs and taxes
Category: Business
As the winter chill sets in, Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, is preparing for a major shift in its operations. The airline has announced that it will close its Berlin base on October 24, 2026, marking a dramatic reduction in its service to and from the German capital. This decision comes on the heels of rising operational costs, including soaring airport fees and a burdensome aviation tax regime that has made maintaining a presence in Berlin increasingly untenable.
The core question surrounding this move is: What does this mean for travelers and the airline industry in Germany?
Ryanair’s decision to shutter its Berlin operations is not just a sudden whim but rather the culmination of a series of financial pressures that have been mounting since the COVID-19 pandemic. Passenger traffic at Berlin Brandenburg Airport has plummeted by 27%, dropping from 36 million in 2019 to just 26 million last year. This decline has been exacerbated by a substantial increase in operational costs, with airport fees rising by 50% since the pandemic and set to increase by another 10% between 2027 and 2029.
Germany's aviation tax has also doubled from €7.30 in 2019 to €15.50 per passenger, alongside air traffic control (ATC) fees that have tripled from €1 to €3.30 per passenger. These steep increases have led to a situation where Ryanair can no longer justify the expense of operating in Berlin, a sentiment echoed by the airline’s CEO, Eddie Wilson, who has described the German aviation sector as “broken.”
The closure of Ryanair’s Berlin base will result in a staggering 50% reduction in the number of flights operated from the city. This translates to a drop in annual passenger numbers from 4.5 million to approximately 2.2 million. All seven aircraft currently based in Berlin will be relocated to lower-cost airports in countries such as Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy, where aviation taxes are significantly less burdensome.
“With no meaningful cost reform in Berlin or in Germany nationally, we have no alternative but to switch aircraft from Germany to other more competitive markets elsewhere in Europe,” Wilson stated. His comments underline a broader issue within the German aviation market, where high operational costs are driving airlines away.
Ryanair’s withdrawal from Berlin is not an isolated incident; it follows a trend of reduced operations in Germany. Since 2019, Ryanair has closed bases in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart, resulting in the loss of 13 aircraft and halting flights to cities like Dresden, Leipzig, and Dortmund. The airline’s strategy appears to be a direct response to what it perceives as a hostile environment for low-cost carriers in Germany.
Dennis Dacke, head of the German trade union Verdi, criticized Ryanair's approach, labeling it a “purely profit-oriented corporate strategy.” He argued that employees have been treated like “disposable commodities” as the airline makes decisions based on short-term profit interests rather than long-term sustainability. This perspective highlights the tension between labor rights and corporate profitability in the aviation sector.
Looking ahead, the impact of Ryanair’s decision could significantly alter the travel dynamics in Berlin. As the airline reduces its footprint, other transportation options may see a resurgence. Rail experts like Jon Worth suggest that the reduction in flights could lead to an increase in train travel to and from Berlin, presenting an opportunity for rail operators to capture displaced passengers. Berlin is well-connected by rail to major cities across Europe, including Amsterdam, Prague, and Vienna.
The future of air travel in Germany remains uncertain as the government considers rolling back flight taxes to pre-2024 levels, which could potentially ease some of the financial pressure on airlines. The Federal Ministry of Finance has emphasized the importance of passing any tax reductions on to travelers, indicating that the government is aware of the challenges facing the aviation sector.
The takeaway: Ryanair’s impending closure of its Berlin base serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by low-cost carriers in high-tax environments. As the airline reallocates its resources to more favorable markets, travelers in Berlin may need to adjust their plans and explore alternative transportation methods.