Transportation

Ryanair to Abandon Berlin Base, Calls German Aviation ‘Broken’

Ryanair passenger jets at Berlin Brandenburg airport.

Photographer: David Gannon/AFP/Getty Images

Ryanair Holdings Plc said it will give up its airport base in Berlin, from where it operates seven aircraft, and will relocate the capacity to lower-cost sites such as Sweden and Albania because of rising fees in the German capital.

The Irish budget carrier will close the base Oct. 24, it said in a statement Friday, adding that Berlin Airport has increased fees by 50% since 2019. Pilots and cabin crew at the Berlin base have received notice of the planned closing, and flight crew will be able to find alternative positions within the network.