Ryanair is set to close its base in Berlin and reduce its winter flight schedule to the city by half. This move by the budget airline is a response to the increasing aviation taxes in Germany, which Ryanair points to as the reason for its relocation. The airline plans to transfer seven aircraft from Berlin to other locations, resulting in a drop in passenger numbers from 4.5 million to 2.2 million.
Employees at the Berlin base have the option to move to other European centers. Ryanair has specified that these aircraft will be stationed at cost-effective airports in EU countries such as Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy, where aviation taxes have been abolished.
The impact of this decision will be felt by UK passengers, particularly those traveling to Birmingham, Manchester, London, and Edinburgh, as flights to these destinations are expected to be affected.
Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson expressed regret over the closure of the Berlin base, attributing it to the airport’s decision to raise fees by an additional 10% from 2027 to 2029. Wilson criticized the high airport fees in Berlin, which have surged by 50% since the onset of the pandemic, despite a 30% decrease in airport traffic from 2019 to 2025.
The airline highlighted the challenging aviation environment in Germany, emphasizing the lack of competitive strategies to address high airport fees and aviation taxes. Ryanair has previously closed bases in Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Stuttgart, leading to the loss of 13 aircraft and ceased operations to several other German cities.
German trade union Verdi criticized Ryanair’s actions, labeling them as profit-driven corporate strategies. However, some see the departure of Ryanair from Berlin as an opportunity for the railway sector to attract more passengers. European railway policy analyst Jon Worth mentioned that the absence of Ryanair at Berlin airport could encourage passengers to opt for train travel, which is often more environmentally friendly.
Ryanair has been vocal in advocating for reduced aviation taxes across Europe. Recently, the airline urged the Austrian government to eliminate its €12 aviation tax, warning that it could negatively impact airlines and routes serving Austrian airports. Ryanair emphasized the need for countries to adopt measures like revoking aviation taxes and lowering fees to enhance competitiveness in the aviation industry.