Ryanair closes base in Berlin and cuts flights due to rising charges

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair is closing its base at Berlin's international airport, withdrawing seven passenger aircraft based in the German capital and halving its flight schedule due to plans to increase fees. This was reported by Deutsche Presse-Agentur, writes UNN.

Details

The base in Berlin will be closed on October 24 this year, the airline reported on Friday. Flights to the city will continue but will be operated by aircraft based outside Germany.

The number of Ryanair passengers at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) could roughly halve in 2027 — from 4.5 million to 2.2 million.

The airline stated that this decision is a direct consequence of the airport's plans to raise fees again by 10% in 2027–2029, adding that after the coronavirus pandemic they have already increased by 50%.

The airport operator rejected these claims and said it was surprised by the announcement, noting that the parties are currently in negotiations. "No such fee increase is planned," the spokesperson emphasized.

Ryanair's head in Germany, Eddie Wilson, stated: "German aviation is broken".

There is no strategy to reduce aviation taxes or high airport fees — despite Ryanair's warnings that Germany will lose passenger traffic, connections, jobs, and trade

The airline also reported that all seven aircraft based in Berlin will be relocated to cheaper airports in other EU countries where aviation taxes have been abolished, including in Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy.

Crews have already been informed about the base closure and can obtain alternative positions in the Ryanair network across Europe.

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