Ryanair Slashes 2.2 Million Seats at Charleroi Over New Belgian Taxes
Key Points
- 1Ryanair plans to cut 2.2 million seats at Charleroi Airport by 2027, reducing its Belgian passenger volume from 11.6m to 9.6m.
- 2The cuts protest a new €3 local tax (Charleroi City Council) and a five-fold federal tax increase to €10 per departing passenger by 2027.
- 3CEO Michael O'Leary warned that the tax hikes will shift air traffic and jobs to tax-cutting EU states like Sweden, Italy, and Hungary.
- 4The Charleroi City Council has confirmed the €3 tax measure is approved and will not be reversed.
Europe's largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair, has announced significant capacity cuts in Belgium. The airline plans to reduce its seat offering by 2.2 million over the next two years. This reduction is a direct response to new passenger taxes being introduced by Belgian authorities.
The cuts will affect flights across Belgium, primarily impacting Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL). This hub serves key routes to and from the United Kingdom, including Manchester, Newcastle, and Edinburgh.
The Tax Increases and Ryanair's Response
Ryanair's decision targets two separate tax measures. First, the Charleroi City Council is introducing a €3 local tax per departing passenger at the airport. This local levy is set to begin in April 2026. The city council has stated the tax is justified by the airport’s external impacts. These impacts include noise, safety concerns, and traffic congestion. The council confirmed the measure was approved and included in the 2026 budget.
Second, the Belgian federal government plans a major increase to its national boarding tax. This tax will rise five-fold, from €2 to a standard €10 per departing passenger. This standard rate will apply to all flights from January 2027. The government aims to generate revenue for rail infrastructure and green projects.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary strongly criticized the tax hikes. He called the decisions "silly" and "idiotic". O'Leary argued that the taxes will severely damage Belgium’s aviation competitiveness. The airline is calling on Prime Minister Bart De Wever to reverse the tax increases. Ryanair warned that aircraft and passengers are mobile. They will simply switch to destinations with lower costs.
European Competitiveness and Traffic Shift
Ryanair highlighted that Belgium is moving against a European trend. Several other EU countries are abolishing or reducing their own aviation taxes. The airline named Sweden, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, and Albania as examples. These nations are cutting taxes to grow traffic, tourism, and jobs. Ryanair argues Belgium’s tax rises will send traffic and jobs to these more competitive states. The airline also noted the existing pressure from the EU's Emission Trading System (ETS). The ETS taxes only intra-EU flights, exempting non-EU flights.
Passenger and Route Implications
Ryanair is Belgium’s largest airline, carrying 11.6 million passengers in 2025. The planned seat cuts correspond to a significant drop in passenger volume. The airline expects this figure to fall to 10.6 million in 2026. It would drop further to 9.6 million passengers in 2027 if both taxes proceed. This represents a potential loss of 2 million passengers over two years.
The reductions will translate into fewer flights and fewer jobs. The tourism and support industries in Belgium will also feel the impact. The airline has not yet specified which routes will be cut. However, the UK routes served by Brussels South Charleroi Airport are likely to face reductions.
Industry bodies, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), often warn against such taxes. They argue that aviation taxes hinder connectivity and economic growth. Ryanair has threatened to continue capacity cuts until the Belgian government abolishes the taxes. The airline has suggested it would reverse the decision if the Charleroi municipal tax is rescinded before April 2026.
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