Berlin Airport Chief Calls Ryanair Cuts ‘A Heavy Blow’

Aviation Pros
19 October 2026

The German capital's airport expects to handle 25.7 million passengers in 2026, down from 26.1 million last year, von Massenbach said, describing the decline as the "Ryanair effect."

Ryanair's decision to close its base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and cut its flights by around half is expected to push passenger numbers down as early as this year, airport chief executive Aletta von Massenbach said on Tuesday.

The German capital's airport expects to handle 25.7 million passengers in 2026, down from 26.1 million last year, von Massenbach said, describing the decline as the "Ryanair effect."

For next year, the airport expects a further decline to 25 million to 25.2 million passengers. BER had originally expected up to 27 million passengers in 2027.

Von Massenbach said the loss of Ryanair passengers would be cushioned by other airlines but not fully offset. She said the airport would respond with a round of cost-cutting, with all costs under review and investments being delayed...

Berlin Airport Chief Calls Ryanair Cuts ‘A Heavy Blow' | Aviation Pros | 19 October 2026