Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) expects passenger traffic to decline in both 2026 and 2027 after Ryanair reduces its presence at the German capital’s airport. BER forecasts 25.7 million passengers this year, down from 26.1 million in 2025, followed by 25 million to 25.2 million in 2027. The revised outlook replaces an earlier projection of up to 27 million passengers next year.
Ryanair’s reduced winter schedule will begin affecting BER traffic from November. The Irish low-cost carrier is closing its seven-aircraft base at the airport and cutting its capacity by about half, while continuing to serve Berlin with a smaller operation. The reduction is expected to remove approximately 2.5 million seats annually. Other airlines are expected to absorb part, but not all, of the lost capacity.
BER chief executive Aletta von Massenbach described the resulting decline as the “Ryanair effect”. The airport will respond with a cost-cutting programme covering personnel and operating expenses, while some investments may be deferred. The lower traffic forecast is also expected to affect airport revenue as BER abandons its previous expectation of continued growth.