Ryanair to Close Berlin Base Due to Rising Costs

Apr 26, 2026, 13:44

Introduction

Ryanair has announced that it will close its operational base at Berlin Airport on October 24, 2026. This move will lead to a major reduction in the number of flights the airline operates in the German capital.

Main Body

The airline plans to move seven aircraft from Berlin to other EU countries, such as Italy, Albania, Slovakia, and Sweden, where aviation taxes are lower. As a result, Ryanair expects its annual passenger numbers in Berlin to drop from 4.5 million to 2.2 million by 2027. Although the airline will still fly to the city, these flights will be operated by planes based outside of Germany. Ryanair claimed that this decision was caused by a sharp increase in operating costs. The company emphasized that Berlin Airport fees have risen by 50% since 2019, and Germany's aviation tax has more than doubled. Additionally, security and air traffic control fees have increased significantly. The airline criticized the German aviation sector for being uncompetitive, noting that it has already closed bases in other cities like Stuttgart and Frankfurt for similar reasons. Different groups have reacted to this news in various ways. The trade union Verdi criticized the move, asserting that the company is prioritizing profits over its employees. On the other hand, analyst Jon Worth suggested that the rail sector could attract more passengers if trains become more reliable and affordable. Meanwhile, the airline is also facing global challenges, such as rising fuel costs due to conflicts in the Gulf, which may lead to further flight cancellations this summer.

Conclusion

To avoid high taxes and fees in Germany, Ryanair is moving its resources to cheaper European markets, while offering affected staff the chance to transfer to other positions within the company.

Vocabulary Learning

asserting (v.)
claiming / stating something strongly and confidently斷言；堅稱
Example:The trade union criticized the move, asserting that the company only cares about profits.
emphasized (v.)
stressed / to give special importance to something強調；著重
Example:The company emphasized that airport fees have risen significantly since 2019.
operational (adj.)
functioning / relating to the functioning or operation of something營運的；運作中的
Example:The airline's operational base in Berlin will close in 2026.
prioritizing (v.)
ranking / treating something as more important than other things優先考慮；把……排在首位
Example:The airline is prioritizing cost-cutting measures to remain competitive in the European market.
reduction (n.)
decrease / the act of making something smaller or less減少；縮減
Example:The move will lead to a major reduction in the number of flights next year.

Sentence Learning

The airline plans to move seven aircraft from Berlin to other EU countries, such as Italy, Albania, Slovakia, and Sweden, where aviation taxes are lower.
Relative Clause: The relative adverb 'where' introduces a clause that provides additional geographical context about the EU countries mentioned.關係子句：關係副詞「where」引導一個子句，為提及的歐盟國家提供額外的地理背景資訊。
Ryanair claimed that this decision was caused by a sharp increase in operating costs.
Passive Voice: The passive construction 'was caused by' is used to emphasize the result (the decision) and its cause in a formal, objective tone.被動語態：被動結構「was caused by」用於以正式且客觀的語氣強調結果（該決定）及其成因。
Although the airline will still fly to the city, these flights will be operated by planes based outside of Germany.
Contrast Linker: The conjunction 'although' introduces a concession, showing a contrast between the flight availability and the change in operational base.讓步連接詞：連詞「although」引導一個讓步子句，顯示航班供應與營運基地變更之間的對比。
The airline criticized the German aviation sector for being uncompetitive, noting that it has already closed bases in other cities like Stuttgart and Frankfurt for similar reasons.
Participle Clause: The present participle 'noting' functions as a supplementary action, adding supporting detail to the main verb 'criticized'.分詞子句：現在分詞「noting」充當隨附動作，為主要動詞「criticized」增添補充細節。
On the other hand, analyst Jon Worth suggested that the rail sector could attract more passengers if trains become more reliable and affordable.
Linking Phrase: The phrase 'on the other hand' is a transitional marker used to present a contrasting perspective from a different stakeholder.連接詞組：詞組「on the other hand」是一個轉折標記，用於呈現來自不同持份者的對比觀點。