Ryanair plans capacity reduction in Belgium over proposed aviation tax hike

Ryanair has reaffirmed plans to scale back its operations in Belgium if the federal government moves ahead with a proposed increase in aviation taxes, intensifying a dispute that could affect routes, passenger volumes and jobs at key Belgian airports.

Speaking during a visit to the airline's headquarters in Dublin, Michael O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, said the carrier remains committed to reducing capacity in Belgium unless authorities reconsider plans to increase the tax on longer-haul flights.

The warning comes as the Belgian government prepares to double the aviation tax on flights exceeding 500 kilometres from €5 to €10 per passenger from next year, a measure that Finance Minister Jan Jambon has indicated will proceed.

Airline outlines scale of proposed cuts

According to Ryanair, the tax increase would make Belgium less competitive compared with other European markets where the airline is seeking growth opportunities.

The carrier has outlined a series of measures that would be implemented if the higher tax takes effect.

Ryanair's planned reductions include:

• Removal of five aircraft from its base at Brussels South Charleroi Airport.
• Reduction of 20 routes across Belgium.
• Closure of 15 routes from Charleroi.
• Closure of five routes from Brussels Airport.
• Capacity reduction of approximately two million passengers annually.

The airline said the changes would be introduced from the winter season onwards.

Employment concerns emerge at Charleroi

Beyond flight reductions, Ryanair said the planned cuts could affect employment linked to its operations in Belgium.

The airline estimates that around 150 jobs in Charleroi could be impacted if the capacity reduction proceeds.

However, Ryanair stated that pilots and cabin crew would be offered opportunities to transfer to other airline bases where capacity is being expanded.

The airline argues that increasing taxes directly influences where it allocates aircraft and future growth.

Eddie Wilson, chief executive of Ryanair DAC, said operating costs such as fuel and staffing are broadly similar across markets, leaving taxes, airport charges and handling fees as key differentiators when investment decisions are made.

Tax debate extends beyond airlines

The dispute comes amid wider discussions over aviation-related taxation in Belgium.

Recently, the Walloon government blocked a separate proposal from the city of Charleroi to introduce an additional municipal tax of €3 per departing passenger at Charleroi Airport.

Airport operator BSCA welcomed that decision but maintained that the planned federal aviation tax remains a significant challenge for future growth.

The Walloon government has also urged federal authorities to reconsider the proposed increase.

The debate reflects broader tensions across Europe as governments seek additional revenue and environmental measures while airports and airlines warn that higher costs could weaken competitiveness and reduce connectivity.

Growth ambitions remain tied to policy decisions

Despite the warning, Ryanair stressed that it is not considering a complete withdrawal from Belgium.

O'Leary said Charleroi remains one of the airline's larger bases and highlighted Ryanair's three-decade presence at the airport.

The carrier also stated that the planned cuts would be cancelled if the tax increase does not proceed.

Looking further ahead, Ryanair claimed that a complete abolition of the aviation tax could enable the airline to increase passenger traffic in Belgium by around 50 per cent by 2030, reaching approximately 16 million passengers annually.

For now, the future scale of Ryanair's Belgian operations appears closely linked to the federal government's final decision on aviation taxation. As airlines across Europe continue to scrutinise operating costs, the outcome of the dispute could influence both capacity planning and airport growth strategies in the years ahead.