Low-cost airline Ryanair has announced it will cut 20 so-called “Brussels routes” next winter, reducing capacity by around one million seats, after Belgium’s federal and local authorities moved to raise flight taxes.
The decision follows the Belgian Government’s new budget plan, which proposes to double the existing embarkation or “flight tax” to €10 per departing passenger from 2027. At the same time, the Charleroi City Council has put forward a €3 municipal tax per departing passenger from Charleroi Airport starting next year.
Ryanair Chief Operating Officer Jason McGuinness described the measures as deeply damaging, accusing authorities of undermining connectivity, tourism and jobs. He said the airline had been left with “no choice” but to reduce flights and investment in Belgium.
“Belgium’s Federal Government has bizarrely decided to further increase Belgium’s already sky-high aviation tax by another 100%,” McGuinness said, adding that the decision would hit the Charleroi region particularly hard.
Under the announced plans, Ryanair will cut five aircraft from its Charleroi base, reduce Brussels traffic by 22% and drop 20 routes during the 2026–2027 winter season. This includes 13 routes from Charleroi Airport and seven from Brussels Airport in Zaventem.
The airline estimates the aircraft reduction alone represents a loss of roughly $500 million in investment. Ryanair also warned that these figures cover only the winter season, with the summer schedule likely to face similar reductions if policies remain unchanged.
On an annual basis, Ryanair suggested the cuts could eventually amount to 30 to 40 fewer routes and up to three million fewer seats across its Belgian network. This winter, the airline currently serves 119 destinations from Charleroi and 11 from Brussels Airport.
Charleroi Mayor Thomas Dermine confirmed receiving a letter from Ryanair outlining the proposed cuts. However, he rejected claims that the proposed €3 municipal tax was to blame, saying it targets the airport rather than airlines and has been calibrated to be absorbed by Charleroi Airport.
Earlier this year, Belgium already increased aviation taxes to €10 for flights shorter than 500 kilometres and €5 for longer routes. The new budget plan would harmonise the system by raising the longer-haul tax to €10 as well.
McGuinness argued that repeated tax hikes have made Belgium “completely uncompetitive” compared to other European countries such as Sweden, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia, where governments are cutting or abolishing aviation taxes to stimulate growth.
He also pointed to Germany, saying it has begun rethinking aviation taxes after recognising their negative impact on traffic and fares. Belgium, he said, is moving in the opposite direction.
“If Prime Minister Bart De Wever really wanted to revive Belgium’s economy, he should abolish this harmful aviation tax, not double it,” McGuinness said, warning that higher access costs push airlines and tourists elsewhere.
Wallonia’s Airport Minister Cécile Neven called for clarity on the concrete impact of Ryanair’s plans. She stressed that Charleroi Airport remains a major economic driver and should not be weakened at a time when it must invest heavily in infrastructure and services.
Last July, the Walloon Government approved Charleroi Airport’s operating licence for the next 20 years, envisioning growth that includes 4,000 additional flights over the next six years.
Ryanair has written to federal and regional leaders urging them to reverse the tax increases, promising to restore routes and aircraft if the measures are withdrawn. However, McGuinness admitted he was “not very optimistic” about a policy change.
Other airlines have yet to signal similar moves. Wizz Air declined to comment, while Brussels Airlines referred to previous statements expressing concern about rising flight taxes. Brussels Airport said it was too early to assess the impact of Ryanair’s decision.
For now, the standoff highlights growing tensions between governments seeking new revenue and airlines warning that higher aviation taxes could ground growth, jobs and affordable travel across Belgium.
