Ryanair Slashes Greece and Berlin Winter Routes Amid Cost War

Ryanair is preparing a sweeping retreat from Greece and Berlin for the winter 2026 season, cutting bases, aircraft and hundreds of thousands of seats as airport fees and aviation taxes squeeze the low cost model and intensify competition across Europe.

Sharp Winter Cuts in Greece

Publicly available information shows that Ryanair plans a substantial reduction of its Greek network in winter 2026, centred on the closure of its base at Thessaloniki Airport and a pullback from several other destinations. Reports indicate that three aircraft will be removed from Thessaloniki, eliminating the carrier’s local base and significantly reducing its presence in northern Greece during the low season.

Coverage in European aviation and travel media points to the loss of around 700,000 seats compared with the previous winter, along with the cancellation of 12 domestic and international routes across the country. Thessaloniki, Chania and Heraklion are among the hardest hit, while Athens is also expected to see a reduced schedule, particularly on seasonal leisure routes that depend heavily on winter price promotions.

Ryanair has framed the cuts as a response to what it describes as uncompetitive airport charges at Greek gateways managed by Fraport Greece and at Athens International Airport. The airline argues that tax reductions introduced by the Greek government from late 2024 have not been fully reflected in lower airport fees, limiting its ability to keep fares low during the quieter months.

For tourists, the practical impact will be fewer low cost options to and within Greece from late October 2026 through early spring 2027, especially from secondary cities. While key routes are likely to retain some service, the frequency of flights and the range of departure airports will narrow, raising the risk of higher prices on remaining services and on rival carriers.

Berlin Base Closure Halves Ryanair Capacity

In Germany, the shift is even more symbolic, with Ryanair preparing to shut its aircraft and crew base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport from October 2026. Industry reports from outlets such as Bloomberg, Aviation Week and The Guardian describe a plan to withdraw seven stationed aircraft and close the base while continuing to serve the city with flights operated from other European hubs.

The move is expected to halve Ryanair’s capacity at Berlin, reducing estimated annual traffic from roughly 4.5 million passengers to around 2.2 million by 2027. Forecasts suggest that a number of point to point routes, particularly those launched during the post pandemic recovery, will disappear entirely from the winter schedule, further shrinking the city’s low cost offering.

Ryanair has linked its decision to rising aviation taxes and airport charges in Germany, portraying the policy environment as less attractive than other markets in northern and eastern Europe. The airline has already moved capacity into countries such as Sweden and Albania, where it says operating costs and incentives make year round low fares more sustainable.

For leisure travellers, the Berlin base closure will most likely mean fewer cheap city break options between the German capital and Mediterranean destinations over winter. Tourists originating in Berlin may find a reduced choice of direct flights to Greek islands and southern European resorts, while visitors heading to Berlin from those regions could face higher fares or longer journeys involving connections.

Winners and Losers in Europe’s Cost War

The retrenchment in Greece and Berlin is part of a broader pattern in which Ryanair has repeatedly shifted aircraft away from airports it views as too expensive and toward lower cost gateways. Previous examples include base closures or reductions in cities such as Billund, Bordeaux and several regional German airports, followed by growth at secondary airports with more aggressive fee structures.

This strategy is intensifying a competitive realignment across Europe. Airports willing to offer discounts, marketing support or long term fee stability have become key beneficiaries, picking up aircraft that Ryanair relocates from higher cost markets. Reports from regional media in the Balkans, for instance, highlight how airports in Albania and neighbouring countries are attracting new capacity at the same time as Greek and German hubs face cuts.

For tourists, the cost war creates a patchwork of opportunity and inconvenience. Travellers who are flexible about their point of departure often gain access to very low fares from newly favoured airports, while those tied to major hubs with higher fees may see prices edge up as capacity is removed. The pattern is especially visible in winter, when demand is weaker and airlines are more selective about where they deploy aircraft.

Industry analysts note that national tourism strategies and airport ownership models can strongly influence these outcomes. Where charges and taxes remain relatively high, low cost carriers tend to limit seasonal services, leaving flag carriers and higher fare airlines with a greater share of the market. Where charges fall or incentive schemes are expanded, new bases and routes often follow.

What Tourists Need to Know for Winter 2026–27

For travellers planning trips from late October 2026 onward, the main takeaway is that Ryanair’s winter network to Greece and Berlin will be leaner and more concentrated. Many routes that previously operated year round are expected to run only in summer, while some winter services will disappear altogether, particularly from Thessaloniki and Berlin.

Tourists who rely on low cost carriers are likely to face stronger price swings, with the cheapest fares appearing earlier and in smaller numbers. Booking well ahead of time and being flexible about travel days and nearby airports will become more important for securing competitive prices, especially around peak holiday periods such as Christmas and New Year.

Travellers heading to Greek islands or secondary German cities may increasingly need to connect via major hubs rather than fly nonstop from regional airports. This could add travel time and complexity, but it may also open up combinations using other low cost and full service airlines, depending on the route.

Given the scale of the planned reductions, observers expect competing carriers, including local airlines in Greece and Germany, to reassess their own winter schedules. While some may step in to fill the gap on key trunk routes, it is unlikely that all withdrawn capacity will be replaced at similar price levels, at least in the short term.

How Travellers Can Adapt

Tourists affected by the changes will need a more strategic approach to planning. One option is to look beyond traditional gateway airports and consider alternative entry points that are gaining Ryanair capacity, such as certain airports in the Balkans or eastern Mediterranean, then complete journeys by ferry, train or regional airlines.

Another consideration is travel timing. With Ryanair focusing on peak summer and shoulder seasons for many leisure destinations, shifting trips from deep winter into late spring or early autumn could restore access to non stop routes and lower fares. Shoulder periods often balance more reasonable prices with milder weather and smaller crowds.

Finally, travellers may wish to diversify the airlines they consider for European trips. While Ryanair remains a dominant low cost player, published schedules from other carriers, including rival budget airlines and national carriers, may offer competitive alternatives on affected routes. Comparing total trip costs, including baggage and seat fees, will be essential as the winter 2026–27 cost war reshapes the map of affordable travel to Greece, Berlin and beyond.