Belgium Aviation Tax Hike Puts 20 Ryanair Routes At Risk
1 min read
Key points
- Ryanair says it will cut 20 routes and 1 million seats from Belgium for Winter 2026 2027 if aviation tax hikes proceed
- Belgium plans to raise its air passenger ticket tax to €10 per departing passenger from January 2027
- Ryanair says 13 of the threatened routes are from Brussels South Charleroi Airport and 7 are from Brussels Airport
- Charleroi city council is considering an additional €3 per departing passenger tax from 2026, which Ryanair says could deepen cuts from April 2026
- Travelers booking Belgium flights for late 2026 and 2027 should watch schedule changes and favor refundable fares or protected connections
Impact
- Where Impacts Are Most Likely
- Ryanair heavy leisure routes out of Brussels South Charleroi and selected flights from Brussels Airport are the most exposed if the Winter 2026 2027 schedule is reduced
- Best Times To Fly
- If you must travel in late 2026 or early 2027, prioritize nonstop options with multiple daily frequencies or choose carriers with larger Belgium networks for easier same day reroutes
- Connections And Misconnect Risk
- Avoid separate tickets across Brussels, and leave larger buffers if you connect onward from Belgium because low cost schedule changes can break tight self connections
- What Travelers Should Do Now
- Before you book, compare total trip cost across Brussels Airport, Charleroi, and nearby cross border airports, and choose fares that allow changes if schedules shift
- Refunds And Rebooking Expectations
- If a route is canceled, airlines usually offer a refund or rebooking, but alternatives may be limited during holiday peaks, so lock lodging with flexible terms too