Ryanair has announced it will not expand its operations in Belgium this winter, blaming the decision on what it calls a “recklessly increased” air tax.
The Irish low-cost airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, criticised the Belgian federal government during a presentation of the winter flight schedule, citing its recent decision to raise the air tax to €5 per ticket for flights exceeding 500 kilometres.
This year, Ryanair expects to carry 11 million passengers to and from Belgium, with Charleroi accounting for the majority—9.8 million. At Brussels Airport (Zaventem), however, the airline will cut 6% of its winter flights due to what O’Leary referred to as “already extremely high airport charges being further increased.” As a result, Zaventem will operate 11 routes this winter, down from 12 the previous year, serving an estimated 1.2 million annual passengers.
By contrast, Brussels South Charleroi Airport is set to see growth. Ryanair will launch three new routes at the airport this winter, connecting Katowice (Poland), Salerno (Italy), and Volos (Greece). The airline has allocated 18 aircraft to Charleroi, offering a total of 119 destinations.
O’Leary stated that the lack of significant growth in Belgium was mainly caused by the “recklessly increased air tax,” which the Belgian government boosted by 150% this summer. For flights over 500 kilometres, the tax was raised from €2-4 to €5 per ticket, while flights under 500 kilometres remain subject to a €10 tax.
He warned that the higher taxes are making Belgium less competitive as a tourist destination compared to other European Union countries. “Belgium should take inspiration from countries like Sweden, Albania, Italy, and Hungary, which are scrapping such environmental taxes,” O’Leary concluded.
