Ryanair said today it would cut one million seats and 20 routes from its Brussels 2026/27 winter schedule over Belgium's decision to raise tax on air passenger tickets to €10 from 2027.
Belgium's tax increase comes as Germany reversed course on its own aviation levies after carriers, including Ryanair and EasyJet, reduced capacity in the country.
"Ryanair calls again on Prime Minister (Bart) De Wever and his Govt to abolish the aviation tax or Belgian traffic will collapse and fares will soar," the airline said in a statement.
The airline said it will also remove five aircraft from its Brussels Charleroi airport, representing a loss of $500m in investment, and axe 20 routes across its Belgian operations.
Charleroi city council's proposal to add another €3 per departing passenger from next year could trigger even deeper cuts from April 2026 and put thousands of local jobs at risk, Ryanair's Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness said.
