Winter flight schedule: Ryanair cuts flight program - Berlin loses the most

Europe's largest low-cost airline Ryanair is cutting its services in Germany. The Irish company announces that it will offer around 700,000 fewer seats in the coming winter flight schedule than a year ago. That is a decrease of 10 percent compared to winter 2025/26. The reasons are the high access costs via government fees and the “exorbitant” air traffic tax in Germany.

As already announced, the main burden of the cuts will be borne by Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, which Ryanair described as the “most unsuccessful airport in Europe”. The airline will close its base there with seven aircraft and associated crews on October 24th. The jets would be relocated to more competitive airports in other EU countries where air traffic taxes have been abolished and fees have been reduced.

Less offer for Berlin passengers

The German capital will continue to be served by Ryanair, but will reportedly lose around half of the previous offer. Twelve routes, including those to Gran Canaria, Palermo and Thessaloniki, would be discontinued completely and others would be thinned out. “Berlin is by far the biggest loser,” says airline boss Eddie Wilson. Passengers there would have significantly less choice and would have to pay higher flight prices.

There are also cuts of around 5 percent in Hamburg, while capacity is being expanded in Memmingen and Cologne. New to Ryanair's winter flight schedule are Saarbrücken and Friedrichshafen.

Other companies are closing gaps

The operating company of Berlin Airport pointed out that other airlines are growing at the location. “Six of the twelve connections canceled by Ryanair are being taken over or already served by other airlines,” said a spokesman. Travelers could choose from more airlines and destinations in the winter flight schedule than in the previous year. However, the capacity reduced by Ryanair cannot be fully compensated.

Otherwise, the entire aviation industry shares the assessment that the state-related location costs represent a significant burden. The focus is on reducing costs in the areas that can be influenced. Despite inflation and increased costs, they have managed to keep airport fees stable since BER opened in 2020. The spokesman emphasized that the desired new agreement with the airlines would not lead to higher airport fees for Ryanair.