Brussels, Belgium – Low-cost carrier Ryanair has threatened to cancel up to 20 more flight routes to and from Belgian airports. This is in protest against new increases in aviation taxes approved by the federal government and the city council of Charleroi.
In a move the company believes will severely impact travel and the competitiveness of the Belgian market.
The crisis comes after the Belgian government announced an increase in the aviation tax to 10 euros.
This applies to every passenger departing on short-haul flights starting in 2027.
This is part of its plan to close a €9.2 billion funding gap by 2029.
Increases are necessary
Prime Minister Bart De Wever wrote on the X platform, commenting on the new financial agreement:
“Today is the work, tomorrow is the reward,” he stressed. He added that these increases are necessary to achieve a balanced budget.
But Ryanair sees things differently, arguing that the new taxes will lead to higher ticket prices.
Reduced demand means the cost is passed directly to the travelers.
She also criticized the decision by the Charleroi city council to impose an additional tax of 3 euros per passenger.
This will take effect from next year. The decision was described as threatening the future of air traffic at the airport.
Loss of one million seats
The company warned that, if the two taxes were implemented, it would be forced to withdraw five aircraft based in Brussels.
20 routes were cancelled from the 2026–2027 winter flight schedule.
This means a loss of about one million seats per year. There would be an estimated 22% decrease in the company’s traffic within Belgium.
Jason McGuinness, Ryanair’s commercial director, said the tax increases make Belgium “uncompetitive”.
This is compared to European countries that have reduced or eliminated these fees to stimulate travel. Examples include Sweden, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia.
He added that the continuation of these policies could push airlines and tourism companies out of the Belgian market.
He warned of the loss of thousands of jobs.
Airline taxes
These developments are part of a broader campaign by Ryanair against rising aviation taxes across the continent.
She recently threatened to withdraw from the Azores due to high fees in Portugal.
Some winter routes in Spain have already been suspended. Also, the airline has indicated it may reduce its activity at regional airports in France.
