Ryanair warns of major capacity cuts at Belgian airports over passenger tax hikes

Ryanair has announced plans to significantly reduce its operations in Belgium, cutting 1.1 million seats in 2026 and a further 1.1 million in 2027 at Brussels South Charleroi Airport, citing rising passenger taxes imposed by Belgian authorities.

The airline says the decision follows two developments: a proposed €3 per-departing-passenger tax by Charleroi City Council from April 2026, and a federal government plan to increase Belgium’s passenger tax fivefold, from €2 in early 2025 to €10 by January 2027. Ryanair argues these measures undermine Belgium’s competitiveness at a time when several European countries — including Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia and Albania — have abolished aviation taxes to stimulate traffic, tourism and employment.

Ryanair, Belgium’s largest airline, carried 11.6 million passengers to and from the country in 2025. It now expects this figure to fall to 10.6 million in 2026, and to 9.6 million in 2027 if the tax increases proceed. The carrier warns that this would result in lower frequencies on existing routes, reduced connectivity, and job losses across airports and the broader tourism sector.

The airline also criticised the broader European cost environment, pointing to the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), which it says already places additional cost pressure on intra-European flights. In contrast, long-haul flights to and from the EU are exempt from ETS – an indefensible discrimination, says Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary.

Ryanair is urging the Belgian government to reverse the planned tax increases, arguing that higher charges will drive airlines and passengers to lower-cost neighbouring markets rather than generate sustainable revenue or growth.