Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline has called on Prime Minister De Wever and his government to make abandoning their plan to double Belgium’s already very high air tax their number one New Year’s resolution. This harmful tax, which increased by 150% last July, severely penalizes Belgium’s competitiveness compared to other EU countries such as Sweden, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia, where governments are abolishing air taxes to boost traffic, tourism, and employment.
In December, Ryanair announced the elimination of 1 million seats (-22%), the transfer of 5 aircraft based in Brussels (a loss of US$500 million investment), and the cancellation of 20 routes from its 2026/27 winter schedule, due to the De Wever government’s decision to double this harmful tax to €10 per passenger from 2027. The airline reiterates its appeal to Prime Minister De Wever to reverse this absurd decision and go further by abolishing the tax altogether in order to revive air traffic, tourism, and employment in Belgium.
Michael O’Leary of Ryanair said:
“The De Wever government is paving the way for its own economic downfall. Doubling the air tax again, after the 150% increase last July, will severely weaken the Belgian economy, making it one of the most expensive countries in Europe for air travel. This increase in the already very high Belgian air tax has forced Ryanair to cut 1 million seats, withdraw 5 based aircraft (representing a loss of US$500 million in investment), and cancel 20 routes from our 2026/27 winter schedule in Brussels. If Prime Minister De Wever does not act quickly to reverse this absurd tax increase, Belgium will suffer even more losses in traffic, tourism, and jobs, as well as higher airfares in 2026.”
If the government truly wants to revive the Belgian economy, it should completely abolish this harmful air tax to allow companies like Ryanair to develop traffic and tourism, as other EU governments such as Sweden, Slovakia, Hungary, and Italy have done. Ryanair once again calls on Prime Minister De Wever and his government to make the abolition of the Belgian air tax their number one resolution for the new year and to give Belgian citizens and visitors what they hoped for at Christmas: strong growth in low-cost traffic, tourism, and employment.
Source: Organisations & Operators - breakingtravelnews
