Ryanair is closing its Berlin hub: what will change for passengers in 2026–2027

Ryanair is closing its Berlin hub and cutting flights in 2026 due to rising costs. Find out how this will affect passengers, prices, and the availability of destinations in Europe

Book bus, train, plane tickets to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world

BUY

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has announced that it will close its hub at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) effective October 24, 2026. This is stated in the airline’s official announcement.

Why is Ryanair leaving Berlin?

The main reason cited for the decision is rising costs. According to the company, Berlin’s airport plans to increase fees by another 10% between 2027 and 2029. Meanwhile, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, airport fees have already risen by 50%, while passenger traffic has dropped by approximately 30%—from 36 million in 2019 to 26 million in 2025. Ryanair believes that such conditions make basing aircraft there economically unviable.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

What will change for flights from Berlin?

The closure of the base will have significant consequences for passengers:

● 7 Ryanair aircraft will be withdrawn from the airport;

● some flights will be transferred to cheaper airports in other EU countries;

● approximately half of the routes from Berlin will be canceled in the 2026–2027 winter schedule.

Despite this, the company is not leaving the German capital entirely. Flights will be operated by aircraft based in other countries.

According to Ryanair DAC CEO Eddie Wilson, the company’s passenger traffic in Berlin will nearly halve—from 4.5 million to 2.2 million passengers in 2027.

Aircraft from the Berlin base are planned to be relocated to countries with lower operating costs for airlines. These include Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy. These countries have either reduced or completely eliminated aviation taxes, making them more attractive to low-cost carriers.

All pilots and flight attendants working in Berlin have already been notified of the base closure. The company plans to consult with employees and offer them alternative positions at other airports within its network.

Berlin is not the first instance of Ryanair scaling back operations in the country. Since 2019, the company has already closed bases in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart, and has also suspended flights to Dresden, Leipzig, and Dortmund. In all cases, the reason is the same—high airport fees and taxes.

How will this affect travelers?

Fewer flights mean fewer route options and potentially higher prices due to reduced competition. This is especially true for the winter season, when some destinations will become unavailable.

Under these conditions, it’s worth planning your trips in advance and checking alternative routes. For example, through Visit Ukraine, you can conveniently book tickets for all modes of transport and choose the best travel option even if airline schedules change.

We remind you! Airport delays are increasing across Europe due to the EES system, and Ryanair is threatening to cancel flights to Malta. Read what’s happening, what risks travelers face, and how to prepare for your trip.

Photo: Freepik

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.