Ryanair to expand flights from Berlin in summer - Berlin Mayor

BERLIN (Reuters) - Budget airline Ryanair is expanding its flight schedule from Berlin in the summer, according to the local government.

Flights to Italy, for example, will be increased by up to 47%, said Berlin mayor Kai Wegner on Wednesday after a meeting with Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson.

"This will further improve the connectivity of our Berlin airport BER," Wegner said. Ryanair is the second-largest airline at the airport.

Other topics of discussion included the framework conditions for air traffic in Germany and, in particular, the further increase in ticket taxes, high security costs and the second most expensive aviation security fees in Europe.

Ryanair managers such as Wilson and the head of the Ryanair Group, Michael O'Leary, have repeatedly criticised the costs of aviation in Germany as being too high.

Europe's largest low-cost airline argues that politicians must take countermeasures, as this slows down growth for airlines.

(Reporting by Klaus Lauer; Writing by Maria Martinez; Editing by Mark Potter)