BRUSSELS- Belgiumis set to lose significant low-cost air connectivity after Ryanair (FR) announced it will remove around one million seats and suspend 20 routes from its Belgian network next winter, especially from Brussels Airport, Zaventem (BRU), and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL).
Ryanair said the cuts follow new and proposed flight tax increases by the Belgian Federal Government and the Charleroi City Council. The airline argues that rising passenger levies undermine demand, weaken regional competitiveness, and make future capacity growth in Belgium economically unviable.
Ryanair Cuts Belgium Flights
Belgium’s federal budget plan includes a sharp increase in the national embarkation tax, commonly referred to as the flight tax. From 2027, the levy will rise to €10 per departing passenger, doubling the current level applied to longer routes.
Earlier this year, Belgium had already introduced a tiered system, charging €10 for flights under 500 kilometres and €5 for longer sectors. The latest decision harmonises the rates by lifting the lower band, effectively raising access costs across the board for airlines and passengers.
At the local level, the Charleroi City Council has proposed an additional €3 charge per departing passenger starting next year. City officials maintain that the fee targets airport infrastructure rather than airlines and can be absorbed without affecting operations.
Capacity Cuts
Ryanair (FR) has described the combined tax burden as commercially damaging and confirmed a 22% reduction in its Brussels-area capacity for the 2026–2027 winter season. The plan includes the removal of five aircraft from its Charleroi base and the cancellation of 20 routes.
Of these, 13 routes will be cut from Charleroi and seven from Brussels Airport, translating into approximately one million fewer seats during the winter schedule. The airline estimates the aircraft withdrawal alone represents a loss of about $500 million in local investment.
Ryanair warned that if the proposed municipal tax proceeds, further reductions could begin as early as April 2026. Over a full year, the airline indicated that up to 30 or 40 routes and as many as three million seats could be at risk.
Industry And Government Response
Charleroi Mayor Thomas Dermine confirmed receiving formal notice from Ryanair regarding the planned reductions. He reiterated that the city tax does not directly target airlines and questioned whether it should be linked to capacity decisions.
Wallonia’s Airport Minister Cécile Neven called for a detailed assessment of the impact on Charleroi Airport, describing it as a major regional economic driver. She stressed that the airport faces a critical investment phase and requires operational stability.
Ryanair has urged the federal government to reverse the tax increases, arguing that several European countries are cutting aviation levies to stimulate traffic, tourism, and jobs. The airline warned that higher taxes could push capacity and passengers to competing markets.
Bottom Line
Ryanair’s decision marks one of the largest recent capacity reductions linked directly to taxation policy in Belgium. Unless fiscal measures are reconsidered, the country risks losing connectivity, investment, and price-sensitive traffic to more cost-competitive European hubs.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
