Ryanair has called on Belgian Prime Minister De Wever to make abolishing the country’s air tax its top New Year’s priority, warning that the recent decision to double the already high tax will harm traffic, tourism, and employment.
The airline says the increase to €10 per passenger from 2027 has already forced it to cut 1 million seats, relocate five Brussels Charleroi-based aircraft (a US$500 million investment loss), and cancel 20 routes from its 2026/27 winter schedule. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary described the tax as economically damaging, noting that Belgium risks becoming one of Europe’s most expensive countries for air travel.
Ryanair pointed to other EU countries, including Sweden, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia, which have removed or reduced air taxes to boost tourism and airline activity. The airline reiterated that only eliminating the tax would allow Belgium to revive traffic, tourism, and employment, and urged the government to act quickly to avoid further economic setbacks.