Berlin the 'biggest loser' as Ryanair slashes flights in Germany

Irish budget airline Ryanair is slashing its flights in Germany due to "astronomical" costs, with Berlin set to be the "biggest loser."

Europe's largest low-cost carrier said on Thursday it would offer around 700,000 fewer seats in the coming winter schedule compared to last year's - a reduction of 10%. 

Ryanair has slammed successive German governments for the country's high costs, including air traffic control and security charges as well as the "exorbitant" national air travel tax. 

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is set to bear the brunt of the cuts, with Ryanair dubbing it "Europe's least successful airport."

The Ryanair base is set to close on October 24, with seven aircraft and their crews to be relocated to more competitive airports in other European countries, the company said. 

Germany's capital will continue to be served by Ryanair but will lose around half of its current capacity with 12 routes to be axed, including services to Gran Canaria, Palermo, Marseille and Thessaloniki.

"Berlin is by far the biggest loser," said the airline's chief executive Eddie Wilson. 

Passengers would have significantly less choice and would have to pay higher fares, he said.

Cuts of around 5% would also affect Hamburg, while capacity at Memmingen and Cologne is to be expanded. Regional airports in Saarbrücken and Friedrichshafen are new additions to Ryanair's winter schedule.