Ryanair has announced it is cutting two million seats on flights to and from Belgium after accusing the country's government of making travel more expensive with a sharp increase in aviation tax.
Capacity cuts and aircraft removal
The airline said it will remove five aircraft from its base at Brussels South Charleroi Airport and cut capacity from both Charleroi and Brussels Airport for the Winter 2026 and Summer 2027 schedules. Ryanair blamed the decision on Belgium's plans to increase its aviation tax from €5 (£4.27) to €7 (£5.98) per passenger from January 1, 2027.
The carrier said the rise represents a 250% increase since 2025 and claimed it would damage tourism, traffic and jobs while other European countries move in the opposite direction.
Comparison with other countries
According to Ryanair, countries including Sweden, Hungary, Slovakia, regional Italy and Albania are abolishing aviation taxes in an effort to encourage more visitors and support economic growth.
The airline said it had repeatedly urged Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's government to abandon the planned increase before airlines finalised their schedules for Winter 2026 and Summer 2027.
CEO statement
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said: "It's absurd that the Federal Govt have decided to increase Belgium's aviation tax by 250% from Jan '27, especially when competing EU countries, like Sweden, Hungary, Slovakia, regional Italy, and Albania are abolishing aviation taxes to grow traffic, tourism and jobs."
Wilson added: "We warned Prime Minister De Wever that increasing Belgium's aviation tax would result in traffic cuts, but he failed to listen. As a result, Ryanair will now remove 5 aircraft from our Charleroi base and 2m seats from our Brussels schedules (Charleroi and Zaventem) for Winter '26/Summer '27 and relocate to more competitive economies."
Background of tensions
The announcement follows months of tension between Ryanair and the Belgian authorities over aviation taxes. Last year, the airline announced plans to remove one million seats on flights to and from Brussels and Charleroi during the 2026-27 winter season, warning it could move investment to countries it considered more competitive.
There was also controversy over proposals by Charleroi City Council and the Walloon regional government to introduce a separate €3 (£2.56) local tax on passengers departing from Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Ryanair warned at the time that it could cancel routes and reduce the number of seats available if the charge went ahead.
The proposal was later abandoned after concerns were raised about the potential impact on the local economy, prompting Ryanair to confirm it would maintain its summer 2026 schedule at Charleroi and expand services from the airport. However, the airline has continued to oppose the Belgian government's aviation tax increase, saying it remains a major obstacle to growth.
