Ryanair Reduces Brussels Winter Capacity by 1 Million Seats Due to Belgian

December 9, 2025 at 10:59 AM•1 min read

Ryanair will cut one million seats from its Brussels winter schedule following Belgium's aviation tax increase.

Key Points

1Ryanair will cut one million seats from its Brussels winter schedule in response to a new Belgian aviation tax.
2Belgium's planned aviation tax increase will raise the per-ticket levy to 10 euros, impacting airline competitiveness.
3The budget carrier warns the tax hike will damage local tourism and reduce passenger traffic at Brussels and Charleroi airports.
4Belgian authorities defend the tax as part of an environmental and fiscal policy to reduce emissions and boost national revenues.

Ryanair, the Irish budget carrier, has announced a significant reduction of one million seats from its Brussels winter schedule. This decision stems directly from Belgium's planned increase in its aviation tax, which will raise the levy to 10 euros ($11.64) per ticket. The airline contends that this tax hike diminishes the competitiveness of flying from Belgian airports and compels carriers to transfer these elevated costs to passengers.

Operating extensively from both Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Ryanair has voiced strong opposition to Belgium's aviation taxes. The airline asserts that such increases are detrimental to local tourism, lead to a reduction in passenger traffic, and ultimately undermine the viability of low-fare travel while impeding airline growth in the region.

Conversely, Belgian authorities have defended the tax increase as an integral component of a broader environmental and fiscal strategy. This policy aims to mitigate aviation emissions and ensure that airlines contribute equitably to the nation's revenue streams.

Ryanair is anticipated to release updated timetables for the affected routes in the upcoming months, detailing the specific changes to its winter operations.