Ryanair will cease all Riga-to-Germany flights by October 2025, citing high German aviation taxes and fees, affecting routes to Cologne and Memmingen.
The decision follows a 20pc capacity cut at Berlin Brandenburg Airport in spring 2025 due to a 24pc tax hike and doubled air traffic control charges. The cancellations impact 150,000 annual seats, hitting Latvia’s tourism sector with an estimated €500,000 loss in forward bookings.
airBaltic will increase Berlin-Riga flights to nine weekly in summer 2025, with potential expansions to Frankfurt and Munich. Ryanair is redirecting aircraft to Italy, Poland, and Spain, offering refunds and discounted fares on remaining Riga routes to Paris and Oslo.
Michael O’Leary shared: “This isn’t just about one route; it’s Germany pricing itself out of the low-fares game.”
Inga Liepa shared: “Families planning half-term getaways are gutted; these were the affordable links that put Germany within reach.”
