BER Passenger Traffic Surges: What New Routes Will Drive Berlin's 2026 Growth?

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) welcomed approximately 26 million travelers in 2025. This figure marks a notable increase in BER passenger traffic. The rise is about two percent compared to the 25.5 million passengers in the prior year. Operational activity also grew steadily. The airport recorded around 193,000 aircraft movements. This represents a 0.7 percent increase year-over-year. BER currently serves as a hub for 70 airlines. These carriers provide connections to 130 destinations globally.

Sustained Growth and Key Milestones

Airport management highlighted the resilience of travel demand. This is notable despite ongoing market uncertainties. Global geopolitical events also continue to challenge the aviation sector. The steady growth underscores BER's role. It is an important gateway for both leisure and business travelers. Projections for 2026 indicate continued expansion. The airport expects to accommodate between 26.5 and 27 million passengers.

Since opening on October 31, 2020, BER has achieved several milestones. Over its first five years, more than 800,000 aircraft have taken off or landed. The airport celebrated its 100 millionth passenger in October. A new daily record was also set. At the start of the autumn holiday period, 100,000 travelers passed through in a single day.

Expanding Long-Haul Connectivity

The upcoming summer flight schedule, beginning March 29, will introduce new routes. It will also see increased frequencies to meet growing demand. The German capital region will see enhanced transatlantic connectivity.

• Air Canada will operate a nonstop service to Montréal (YUL). Flights will run three times per week. This seasonal service is scheduled from early July through mid-October 2026. The route will be operated by the efficient Airbus A321XLR.
• Air Transat plans to launch a thrice-weekly Toronto (YYZ) service. This expansion is scheduled to start in May 2026.

These new transatlantic routes strengthen ties between Germany and Canada. They are a strong signal for the Canadian growth market.

New Destinations and Increased Frequencies

Airline network expansion is a key driver for 2025 aviation growth. Eurowings, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, is set to expand its network. The airline is adding direct flights to destinations like London, Lisbon, and Sarajevo. New popular holiday destinations are also on the summer schedule. These include Olbia, Naples, and Kavala. Eurowings is also increasing frequencies on existing routes. These include Palma de Mallorca, Stockholm, Zurich, Split, Bilbao, Faro, and Helsinki. This move accommodates heightened seasonal travel demand.

Condor is also planning significant expansion. The airline will introduce year-round daily nonstop flights to Abu Dhabi from June onward. This provides travelers with more options for direct travel to the Middle East. These new and enhanced connections reflect BER's efforts. The airport is working to diversify its route portfolio. It is also responding to shifting travel patterns.

Looking ahead, Berlin Brandenburg Airport anticipates further growth. This is driven by the addition of new destinations. Greater flight frequencies will also contribute. The airport works closely with airline partners. They finalize details of the upcoming schedule. This ensures a seamless travel experience for all passengers. As the aviation sector adapts to evolving market conditions, BER remains committed to offering an extensive and reliable network of connections for the capital region. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.