Ryanair reduces winter capacity in Germany

Ryanair will cut its winter 2026-2027 capacity in Germany by 10%, primarily in Berlin and Hamburg, removing 700,000 seats from its schedule. The airline will close its base of seven aircraft at Berlin-Brandeburg Airport on October 24 but will continue operating flights to the German capital.

Reasons for Ryanair's cuts

The Irish low-cost carrier attributes its decisions to high taxes and airport costs. In Berlin, Ryanair will cut its capacity by 50%, eliminating twelve routes such as Bologna, Fuerteventura, and Trieste, and reducing frequencies on remaining routes. The seven aircraft based in Berlin will be moved to other European markets like Italy and Sweden.

Berlin-Brandeburg Airport's response

Berlin-Brandeburg Airport downplays the impact of Ryanair’s withdrawal, noting that six of the twelve affected routes are already covered by other airlines or will be taken over. The airport claims its winter program will include more airlines and destinations than the previous year, despite Ryanair’s reduced presence.

Ryanair's plans for Hamburg and other German cities

In Hamburg, Ryanair will reduce its winter capacity by 5%, but it will increase its offer by 12% in Memmingen and 10% in Cologne. The airline will also launch its first winter operations in Friedrichshafen and Sarrebruck. It criticizes airport fees, security costs, and the German air transport tax.

Ryanair calls for cost reductions in Germany

Eddie Wilson, Ryanair’s general manager, says the airline has the aircraft and demand to grow in Germany but that high costs are pushing operations to more competitive markets. He urges the elimination of the air tax and a halving of airport access, security, and air navigation costs.

Ryanair reduces capacity in other European markets

Germany is not the only market where Ryanair is cutting capacity. In Belgium, the airline announced a 22% reduction in winter 2026-2027 seats, withdrawing five aircraft and eliminating twenty routes. It linked this to increased taxes and criticized a proposed local tax in Charleroi.

Ryanair scales back in Greece and Spain

In Greece, Ryanair closed its base in Thessaloniki and plans to remove 700,000 seats, a 45% decrease from the previous winter. In Spain, the airline reduced its summer 2026 capacity by 10% in regional airports and stopped all connections to Asturias Airport, citing rising fees from Aena, the airport operator.

Ryanair exits the Azores

Ryanair’s withdrawal from the Azores is now complete, with its last flight to the region on March 28, 2026. The airline cited high airport fees and European environmental taxes as reasons. TAP Air Portugal and Azores Airlines now handle the connections, but traffic has declined slightly, though other factors may also be at play.