Back in February, Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair made it clear it needed Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to reduce its aircraft handling fees in order to help as it recovers from the disastrous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This week Ryanair has repeated the demand: “The government and Berlin Airport should act now,” the carrier said, despite BER claiming that its fees were in line with other major German airports. Ryanair believes that if low-cost carriers are forced to pay such high fees, then the airport would end up handling the same amount of traffic at airports in smaller cities.
Earlier this month easyJet announced that by the time it begins its winter schedule this year it will be reducing its fleet size at Brandenburg Airport from 18 to just 11 aircraft, consequently releasing up to 275 pilots and cabin crew. Previously Ryanair had reduced its fleet size at BER to just nine aircraft. Whether it will now expand its fleet to pick up easyJet business or further reduce its fleet size will likely depend on the airport’s reaction to the demand for lower handling fees. Alternatively, Lufthansa offshoot Eurowings may well take on any easyJet staff which are laid off.
