Ryanair to Close Berlin Base and Reduce Flights in Germany

Apr 27, 2026, 10:30

Introduction

Ryanair has announced that it will close its operating base in Berlin on October 24. Along with this closure, the airline will significantly reduce the number of flights it operates from the German capital during the winter season.

Main Body

The airline plans to move seven aircraft from Berlin to other EU countries, such as Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy, where aviation taxes have been removed. As a result, the number of annual passengers in Berlin is expected to drop from 4.5 million to 2.2 million, and the winter schedule will be cut by 50%. Although some flights will continue after October, they will be operated by planes based elsewhere. Staff in Berlin have been offered the chance to transfer to other European hubs. Ryanair management claimed that these changes are necessary because the cost of operating in Germany has become too high. The company emphasized that aviation taxes per passenger rose from €7.30 to €15.50 since 2019, and air traffic control fees have tripled. Furthermore, airport fees have increased by 50% since the pandemic, and security costs are expected to double by 2028. This follows a trend of the airline leaving the German market, including previous closures in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart. Different groups have reacted to this news in various ways. Berlin Brandenburg Airport officials expressed surprise, asserting that they have no plans to increase charges. Meanwhile, the German Finance Ministry stated that the government plans to return flight taxes to 2024 levels. On the other hand, the Verdi trade union criticized the airline, claiming that the strategy is driven only by profit and that employees are being treated poorly. Additionally, transport analysts suggest that fewer low-cost flights may lead more passengers to use trains to reach cities like Paris and Vienna.

Conclusion

In summary, Ryanair is reducing its presence in Germany due to high operating costs, while also dealing with capacity limits in Dublin and rising fuel prices across the aviation industry.

Vocabulary Learning

capacity (n.)

the maximum amount or number that can be accommodated or produced容量

Example:The airline faces capacity limits in Dublin.

closure (n.)

the act of closing something, especially a business or facility關閉

Example:The closure of the Berlin base will affect many employees.

operating (adj.)

relating to the functioning of a business or system與運作相關的

Example:The airline's operating costs have risen.

significantly (adv.)

to a large extent or degree大幅地

Example:The airline will significantly reduce flights.

taxes (n.)

fees imposed by governments on goods, services, or income稅金

Example:Aviation taxes have been removed in some EU countries.

Sentence Learning

The airline plans to move seven aircraft from Berlin to other EU countries, such as Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy, where aviation taxes have been removed.

Relative Clause: This clause (where aviation taxes have been removed) provides additional information about the EU countries, specifying that aviation taxes have been removed in them.關係子句: 此子句（where aviation taxes have been removed）提供關於提及的歐盟國家的必要資訊，說明在這些國家航空稅已被取消。

Staff in Berlin have been offered the chance to transfer to other European hubs.

Passive Voice: The sentence uses passive construction (have been offered) to focus on the action received by staff, rather than who performed it.被動語態: 本句使用被動語態（have been offered），將焦點放在員工所接受的行動上，而非執行者。

Although some flights will continue after October, they will be operated by planes based elsewhere.

Contrast Conjunction: The conjunction 'Although' introduces a contrast between the expectation of flight continuation and the fact that they will be operated elsewhere.對比連接詞: 'Although' 這個連接詞引入了對比，說明雖然有航班會在十月後繼續，但它們將由其他基地的飛機運營。

Ryanair management claimed that these changes are necessary because the cost of operating in Germany has become too high.

Causal Clause: The clause 'because the cost of operating in Germany has become too high' explains the reason for the changes.原因子句: 子句 'because the cost of operating in Germany has become too high' 解釋了變更的原因。

The German Finance Ministry stated that the government plans to return flight taxes to 2024 levels.

Reported Speech: The sentence reports what the German Finance Ministry said, using indirect speech.報告語氣: 本句使用間接語言報告德國財政部門所說的內容。