Berlin, April 24, 2026 Ryanair will slash its flight operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) by 50% and withdraw all seven of its stationed aircraft by October 2026, citing a planned 10% fee increase by airport authorities.
Fee Hike Triggers Ryanair Exit
The Irish low-cost carrier announced the drastic reduction as a direct response to BER's decision to raise airport fees by 10% between 2027 and 2029. Ryanair criticized the move, noting that airport charges had already surged by 50% since the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Die Maßnahme sei eine direkte Folge der jüngsten Ankündigung des Berliner Flughafens, die Gebühren im Zeitraum von 2027 bis 2029 erneut zu erhöhen," the airline stated, emphasizing that the fee hike would make operations unsustainable. The carrier will close its BER base on October 24, 2026, reducing annual passenger traffic from 4.5 million to 2.2 million by 2027.
Workforce and Network Adjustments
Approximately 210 pilots and cabin crew members will be affected by the downsizing, though Ryanair confirmed they will be offered alternative positions elsewhere in its European network. The airline operates over 80 bases across Europe, providing relocation options for displaced staff.
German trade union Verdi condemned Ryanair's decision, accusing the company of prioritizing profits over social responsibility. "Die geplante Schließung zeigt einmal mehr die maximale Profitorientierung von Ryanair, bei der soziale Verantwortung keinerlei Rolle spielt," the union said in a statement.