Ryanair’s Winter Expansion Amid Berlin’s Flight‑Plan Shake‑Up

Ryanair Holdings PLC has announced a sweeping expansion of its winter‑season network, adding new routes from key German and Austrian airports while simultaneously scaling back its presence at Berlin Brandenburg (BER). The strategy underscores the carrier’s relentless focus on high‑yield, low‑cost destinations, even as it faces pressure from airport authorities in its home market.

New Winter Routes from the German Heartland

On 12 October, Ryanair unveiled a comprehensive timetable for the 2026/2027 winter period. The carrier will broaden its footprint from Cologne/Bonn, Memmingen, and Friedrichshafen, and will introduce new services from Seville and Varna, both added to the Memmingen lineup. The expansion reflects Ryanair’s aggressive push into the southern and Balkan markets, where demand for affordable travel remains strong.

  • Cologne/Bonn – The airline will launch a new array of winter destinations, providing travellers with a richer selection for holiday and business travel.
  • Memmingen – The Munich‑area hub will see an addition of several seasonal routes, including the new Sevilla and Varna legs, reinforcing its position as a gateway to southern Europe.
  • Friedrichshafen (Bodensee) – The carrier will enhance its service offering from this lakeside airport, further diversifying its regional presence.

These moves are part of Ryanair’s broader strategy to capture market share in underserved regions while maintaining a lean operational footprint across its network.

Berlin Brandenburg: A Sharp Retreat

In stark contrast, the Berlin‑based carrier is withdrawing a significant portion of its operations from BER. According to the airport’s chief executive, Aletta von Massenbach, the “Ryanair effect” has already begun to erode passenger numbers. In 2026, Berlin is projected to handle 25.7 million passengers, down from 26.1 million in 2025, with a further decline expected next year.

Ryanair will close its BER base on 24 October 2026, a decision that will cut the carrier’s presence by half. Seven aircraft will be withdrawn, and twelve routes—including high‑traffic links to Gran Canaria, Palermo, and Thessaloniki—will be terminated. The move follows a series of cost‑cutting initiatives at the airport, which has been scrutinising its operating expenses in response to the carrier’s scale‑back.

Industry Reactions and Competitive Dynamics

The withdrawal has prompted Berlin’s airport leadership to adopt a “sparsely”‑driven cost‑reduction program, shifting investments away from Ryanair’s operations. Meanwhile, rival low‑fare operators such as Wizz Air are actively negotiating to acquire slots from struggling airlines across Europe. Wizz Air’s CEO Owain Jones has indicated that the carrier is already in discussions with airports to seize opportunities presented by competitors’ potential insolvency.

Ryanair’s own reports suggest a parallel strategy, with the airline actively pursuing attractive slots to maintain its market dominance in Central and Eastern Europe. The carrier’s focus on high‑density routes and secondary airports positions it advantageously against competitors looking to fill the void left by its Berlin exit.

Financial Snapshot

As of 11 October 2026, Ryanair’s share price settled at €23.02, reflecting a modest decline from its 52‑week high of €30.15 reached on 14 December 2025. The airline’s market capitalisation stands at approximately €23.6 billion, with a price‑to‑earnings ratio of 13.685. While the company’s expansion in Germany and Austria may offset the Berlin withdrawal, investors will be watching closely how these strategic shifts impact revenue and operating margins in the coming fiscal period.

In sum, Ryanair’s dual approach—expanding into new winter markets while retracting from Berlin—illustrates its commitment to agile, cost‑efficient growth. The carrier’s ability to pivot quickly in response to regulatory and competitive pressures will be a key determinant of its long‑term success in Europe’s fiercely contested low‑fare segment.