Berlin, 5 March 2015 The Irish low cost airline Ryanair will open its own base and station five airplanes of the type Boeing 737-800 in Berlin-Schönefeld with the beginning of the winter flight schedule 2015/16. In consequence, Ryanair’s route network increases by 16 new flight routes from and to Berlin. The airline announced its plans today at ITB Berlin.

“We are happy that Ryanair relies on the German capital,” says Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin. “Low cost traffic is one important factor for the touristic success of Berlin in the past few years. The airline’s decision is a response to the great attractiveness of our city.”

For years now, Berlin has been one of the fastest-growing metropolises worldwide. In 2014, more visitors than ever came to Berlin (28.7 million overnight stays of 11.9 million guests). 4.5 million international visitors (+ 5.2 per cent in comparison to 2013) stayed for 12.5 million nights, marking a rise of 8.1 per cent.

“The investment of Ryanair will be noticeable in 2016 and will secure Berlin’s leading position among German and European tourism destinations,” says Kieker.

With the start of the winter flight schedule 2015/16 on 27 October the following new routes will be offered: Alicante, Athens, Barcelona, Bari, Bologna, Brussels, Bratislava, Glasgow, Madrid, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Palermo, Riga, Rome (Ciampino), Valencia and Venice. The frequencies of the existing routes from / to Dublin, London-Stansted, and Milan will be increased.

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