European low-cost carrier Ryanair has announced plans to close its base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (ICAO:EDDB, IATA:BER) by October 24, 2026, following a decision to relocate its seven aircraft to other bases across Europe. The move is prompted by rising airport fees, which have been increasing steadily since 2019, and are set to rise further with a planned 10% increase starting in 2027. Despite ending its base operations at BER, Ryanair will continue to serve the city from other European bases, maintaining connectivity but reducing overall capacity.
The airline's decision is influenced by fee increases and a decline in passenger traffic at German airports, which has decreased by nearly 30% since 2019. The airline's CEO, Eddie Wilson, stated that Ryanair will still serve Berlin but with aircraft based outside Germany, resulting in a projected 50% drop in traffic from 4.5 million in 2026 to approximately 2.2 million passengers. This strategic shift aims to mitigate rising costs for the low-cost carrier.
The Impact of Increasing Airport Charges
Since 2019, airport charges across Germany have increased significantly, with airport fees climbing by 50%. Notable hikes include the aviation tax, which has more than doubled from €7.30 to €15.50, and security fees rising from €10 to €20 per passenger. Additionally, air traffic control (ATC) fees and other charges have increased, contributing to higher operational costs. Despite this, passenger numbers at German airports in 2025 slightly increased to 26.1 million, yet still remain below pre-pandemic levels, with only 81.7% of 2019 passenger volumes recorded in January 2026.
"Ryanair will still serve Berlin but on aircraft based outside Germany and our Berlin traffic will fall by 50% from 4.5 million to 2.2 million passengers in 2027,"
Ryanair's decision also reflects broader challenges faced by German airports, which have seen multiple base closures over the past few years, including Frankfurt Hahn (ICAO:EDFH, IATA:Hahn), Frankfurt Airport (ICAO:EDDF, IATA:FRA), and Düsseldorf (ICAO:EDDL, IATA:DUS). The airline attributes slow post-pandemic recovery in Germany to high taxes and increased charges, with only limited passenger growth compared to other European countries such as Hungary and Poland, where taxes have been abolished.
Looking ahead, Ryanair plans to relocate its aircraft to airports with lower costs, including distributors in Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy, where aviation taxes are minimal or nonexistent. The airline continues to emphasize its commitment to providing affordable travel options while managing rising operational costs in an environment of financial pressure on German aviation.
