Belgium to double air passenger tax from 2027; airlines warn travellers will pay more

Belgium will again increase its air passenger tax, raising the levy to €10 per departing passenger from 2027 for all flights, regardless of distance, and increasing it further to €11 in 2029. This marks the second rise in the current legislative period: last summer, the De Wever government already raised the tax on flights over 500 kilometres from €2 or €4 to €5, while keeping the €10 rate for shorter flights. The new measure, part of the recently finalised budget, is expected to generate €168 to €184 million annually.

Both Brussels Airlines and Ryanair have reacted sharply. Brussels Airlines says it cannot absorb the higher tax and will pass it directly to passengers. Spokesperson Nico Cardone notes that Belgium is moving “against the trend,” pointing out that Italy and Germany are reducing their flight taxes, and Sweden has abolished its national aviation tax. The airline also renewed its call for better high-speed rail connections to Brussels Airport, which could replace short feeder flights such as Brussels–Paris and support environmental goals without adding further costs to travellers.

Ryanair was even more outspoken, accusing the Belgian government of damaging the country’s competitiveness. The airline argues that doubling the tax—after a 150% increase already implemented in 2025—will make Belgium one of the least attractive aviation markets in Europe. According to Ryanair, the repeated tax increases will “drive away traffic, damage tourism and destroy jobs,” at a time when other EU countries are abolishing or reducing similar levies to stimulate growth. Ryanair’s CCO Jason McGuinness said the government is “once again hammering ordinary Belgian passengers with another reckless aviation tax hike,” urging Belgium to scrap the tax entirely instead of raising it.

Although airlines claim Belgium is out of step with Europe, the broader landscape is more nuanced. Most EU states do not have a national air passenger tax, yet airport charges and local surcharges are common across the continent, and several countries apply environmental levies through alternative mechanisms. Germany’s planned tax reduction in July 2026 may lower ticket prices, but airlines are not required to pass on the savings. Italy continues to apply municipal passenger taxes—€7.50 at Rome airports and €6.50 elsewhere—typically included in ticket prices.

Belgium argues that aviation taxes support climate policy by discouraging unnecessary flights and offsetting CO2 emissions, but airlines warn that higher taxes will push travellers to foreign airports and harm the country’s tourism and aviation sector. With two consecutive tax hikes now scheduled, the debate over Belgium’s aviation policy is set to intensify, as carriers fear that rising costs will ultimately be borne by passengers while weakening Belgium’s competitive position within Europe.