Ryanair cuts 12 Berlin routes from 24 October as base closes

Disruption overview

Ryanair's Berlin base closure will remove 12 routes from Berlin Brandenburg Airport from 24 October 2026 and reduce its winter capacity by 50%. Destinations being dropped include 3 Canary Islands routes, 5 Italian cities, Marseille, Tallinn, Thessaloniki, and Vilnius, while remaining services will operate less frequently using aircraft based elsewhere in Europe. The airline blames high German aviation costs and is moving all 7 Berlin-based aircraft to lower-cost airports, leaving passengers with fewer direct options for winter vacations and city breaks. If you've booked an affected flight, check directly with Ryanair: compensation is unlikely because the cancellations were announced in advance, but refunds or rerouting remain available under European passenger rights rules.

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Disruption details

Ryanair will stop flying 12 routes from Berlin Brandenburg Airport on 24 October 2026, as it closes its 7-aircraft base in the German capital. The airline says the move will halve its winter capacity in Berlin.

For passengers, this means fewer direct flights for winter vacations and city breaks, particularly to the Canary Islands and Italy. If you've already booked one of the affected services, check your booking directly with Ryanair to find out how your journey will change.

The airline confirmed the full list of affected destinations on 8 October. The following routes from Berlin will end:

• Spain: Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote

• Italy: Bologna, Palermo, Pisa, Reggio Calabria, and Trieste

• France: Marseille

• Estonia: Tallinn

• Greece: Thessaloniki

• Lithuania: Vilnius

Ryanair isn't leaving Berlin entirely. It will keep selected routes operating with aircraft based at other European airports, although those remaining services will also run less frequently. All 7 aircraft currently based in Berlin will move to airports in other European countries where operating costs are lower.

The changes will reshape Ryanair's Berlin schedule for winter 2026/27. Alongside the loss of 12 destinations, reduced frequencies on the remaining routes mean passengers will have fewer Ryanair departures to choose from.

The closure follows a long-running dispute over the cost of operating in Germany. Ryanair first announced its plans in April 2026, pointing to high airport charges and aviation taxes.

The airline says charges at Berlin Brandenburg Airport have increased by more than 50% since 2019, while passenger traffic hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels. It has also criticized Germany's aviation tax, airport security fees, and air traffic control charges.

Ryanair estimates that Berlin handled around 26 million passengers in 2025, compared with 36 million in 2019. The carrier expects its own Berlin passenger numbers to fall from about 4.5 million to 2.2 million in 2027 following the cuts.

Eurowings is planning to expand at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, with more aircraft based there and stronger leisure services. That expansion won't necessarily replace every canceled Ryanair route, however, or offer the same fares and departure frequencies.

If your flight is affected, the first step is to review your booking with Ryanair. The base closure is a reduction in service rather than a complete withdrawal, so check your specific flight rather than assuming every Berlin service has been canceled.

Compensation is unlikely for these cancellations because they were announced well in advance. But that doesn't mean you're without support: under EC 261, the European air passenger rights rules, you can still choose between a refund and rerouting if your flight is canceled.

Care and assistance may also apply if your replacement journey involves a long wait or an overnight delay. Depending on your circumstances, this can include meals, refreshments, accommodation, and transportation to your accommodation.

If you're unsure what applies to your booking, AirHelp's free flight checker can help you understand whether compensation could apply to your individual flight. A refund or alternative journey can still be available even when compensation isn't owed.

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