Ryanair Cuts Direct Flights: Faro and Porto Lose Berlin Connections in October

Ryanair Removes Direct Berlin Service from Faro and Porto in October 2026

Starting October 24, travelers from Faro and Porto heading to Berlin will need alternative routes. Ryanair is cutting direct flights on two routes—Faro to Berlin and Porto to Berlin, ending a period of affordable nonstop access from Portugal's secondary cities to Germany's capital. Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport will retain its Berlin connection, but the move will affect connectivity for residents in the Algarve and northern Portugal.

What's Being Cut and When

The specific cuts:

• Faro-Berlin route: Ending October 24, 2026

• Porto-Berlin route: Ending October 24, 2026

• Lisbon-Berlin: Continues operating

According to aviation data, Ryanair operated 13,000 seats across Faro, Lisbon, and Porto to Berlin in November 2025, representing approximately half of all available seating between the two countries during the low season. The loss of the Faro and Porto routes will significantly reduce direct capacity for residents in those regions.

Why Ryanair Is Making These Changes

Ryanair is eliminating routes across Germany as part of a broader network adjustment, citing high operational costs. The airline has indicated it will also close its Berlin base in 2026. The carrier has attributed these decisions to increased airport fees, air-traffic control charges, and aviation taxes that make seasonal routes economically unsustainable.

Portugal has already experienced broader impacts: Ryanair cancelled six routes to and from the Azores in March, reducing capacity to the islands.

What Alternatives Exist

Travelers between Porto and Berlin can still book direct flights with:

• easyJet

• Eurowings

From Faro, direct options include:

• Eurowings

• Malta Air

Additionally, Lufthansa, SWISS, KLM, Vueling, Wizz Air, Iberia, Brussels Airlines, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Scandinavian Airlines all offer one-stop connections from various Portuguese airports to Berlin.

Impact on Tourism and Travel

Germany is a significant market for Portugal's tourism sector, particularly during the low season from November through March. Algarve hotels and tourism businesses depend on German visitors during winter months.

The loss of budget-carrier competition may result in higher fares on remaining routes. Legacy carriers operate under different cost structures and typically charge 30-50% more than budget airlines. Whether competing carriers like easyJet and Eurowings will expand frequency on these routes remains uncertain, as they also face capacity constraints.

TAP Air Portugal, the national carrier, has not announced plans to add service on Germany routes, maintaining its focus on long-haul expansion and European hub consolidation.

What Residents Should Do

For regular travelers to Germany:

• Book flights early, as capacity will tighten as the October 24 exit date approaches

• Monitor easyJet and Eurowings for schedule updates

• Consider booking from Lisbon if fares or schedules offer better value

For tourism businesses:

• Engage with local chambers of commerce and airport authorities about attracting alternative carriers

• Contact the Portuguese Tourism Board about competitive incentive programs

The structural challenges facing European aviation—including environmental regulations, airport fees, and air-traffic control charges—extend beyond any single carrier decision. For now, residents in Faro and Porto will need to adjust travel plans to include connections or alternative departure points.