Ryanair Begins Service Phaseout from Berlin Brandenburg Base

‍BERLIN —  Ryanair (FR) has begun phasing out services from its Berlin Brandenburg (BER) base. The low-cost carrier (LCC) cites declining passenger loads and higher charges as reasons for its decision to pull out of the German capital.

The carrier said that BER was its "most failing airport in Europe", citing declining passenger loads as the reason for its decision.

The LCC saw a drop from 36 million passengers in 2019 to 26 million last year. FR currently has seven aircraft stationed at BER, but it intends to halt operations at BER on 24 October.

For what will remain of the 2026 winter schedule, FR will reduce the number of flights it operates to and from BER by 50%.

Reallocation of BER aircraft

The airline will reposition these aircraft to other bases across Europe.

“All seven Berlin-based aircraft will in this case be reallocated to lower cost airports in other EU states that have abolished aviation taxes like Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy,” the airline said.

Rising costs and taxes

According to FR, Germany's aviation taxes have increased sharply since 2019. This is affecting its business.

Germany's aviation taxes have risen from €7.30 to €15.50 per passenger. Security fees are expected to double (from €10 in 2024) to €20 per passenger by January 2028.

Air traffic control fees have tripled to €3.30 per passenger.  This is on top of higher airport fees, which have increased by 50% since Covid-19.

German aviation tax

Ryanair DAC CEO Eddie Wilson referred to Germany's aviation tax as a "stupid aviation tax regime”, which has failed people.

Berlin Brandenburg is not the first base; FR will close in Germany. The carrier has ceased operations at various locations in the country.

“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,” Wilson said.