Ryanair has announced the closure of its base in Berlin and a reduction of its winter flight schedule to the city by 50%. The decision comes as the budget airline cites escalating aviation taxes in Germany as the reason for the move. Ryanair will relocate seven aircraft to other destinations, resulting in a drop in passenger numbers from 4.5 million to 2.2 million in Berlin.
Employees at the Berlin facility are being offered transfers to other European bases. The airline plans to station the aircraft at lower-cost airports in EU states like Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy, where aviation taxes have been abolished.
The cutbacks will affect UK travelers, particularly those flying to Birmingham, Manchester, London, and Edinburgh. Ryanair attributes the move to Berlin Airport’s announcement of a 10% increase in fees from 2027 to 2029, on top of a 50% rise in fees since the onset of the Covid pandemic.
Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson expressed regret over the closure of the Berlin base due to the airport’s continual fee hikes. He criticized the German aviation industry, stating that the government lacks a strategy to address high airport fees and aviation taxes, leading to the loss of traffic, jobs, and connectivity. Since 2019, Ryanair has closed bases in Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Stuttgart, along with discontinuing flights to Dresden, Leipzig, and Dortmund.
The departure of Ryanair from Berlin has drawn criticism from German trade union Verdi, labeling the airline’s actions as profit-driven. However, some see an opportunity for the rail sector to benefit from Ryanair’s exit, with experts suggesting more passengers may opt for train travel, known for being environmentally friendly.
Ryanair has a history of advocating for reduced aviation taxes across Europe. Recently, the airline urged Austria to eliminate its €12 aviation tax, citing concerns about its impact on airlines and airport traffic. Ryanair highlighted the competitive disadvantage created by such taxes compared to countries like Albania, Italy, and Slovakia, which have taken steps to support airlines by lowering fees and offering growth incentives.
By selecting Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News, readers can access valuable news content efficiently.
