Ryanair cuts more than one million seats over aviation tax dispute

Ryanair is once again reduced your flight rosterIts schedule is being cut belgium As part of the aviation tax dispute.

The Irish low-cost airline announced on Tuesday, December 9 that it would cut 1 million or five seats plane and 20 routes to the country from its winter 2026/2027 schedule.

according to RyanairThe cuts represent a 22 percent reduction in service. It estimated that the aircraft withdrawal would result in a loss of $500 million (£373 million) in investment.

Brussels AirportBelgium’s largest hub and Brussels South Charleroi airport will be affected by the cuts.

The airline said it had decided to cut the seats due to the Belgian government’s “regressive decision” to double its aviation tax to €10 (£8.75) per departing passenger from 2027. Charleroi city council has also proposed a €3 (£2.60) tax per departing passenger from next year.

Ryanair claimed that these costs make Belgium “completely uncompetitive” compared to other EU countries. swedenHungary, Italy and Slovakia, where governments are eliminating aviation taxes,

The airline’s chief commercial officer, Jason McGuinness, said: “Should Charleroi City Council go ahead with its non-judicial proposal to impose an additional tax on passengers departing from Charleroi next year, these cuts will deepen further as Ryanair will be forced to reduce flights, routes and base aircraft at Charleroi from the beginning of April 2026, putting thousands of local jobs at risk.”

He also called on the Belgian government to eliminate the aviation tax rather than doubling it.

Belgium’s tax increase comes as Germany made a U-turn on its own aviation tariffs after airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet reduced capacity in the country.

Ryanair commented, “Even Germany has now recognized that aviation taxes do not work and have revised their decision to increase aviation taxes.”

The airline announced in October that it would cut its German winter schedule due to “excessive” access costs, resulting in the loss of 800,000 seats and the cancellation of 24 routes on nine routes. airportsWhich includes Berlin, Hamburg and Memmingen.

Ryanair has also announced reduction in flights to the azores And France again this year due to tax increases and airport fees.

Independent The Belgian Ministry of Mobility and Transport and Charleroi Council have been contacted for comment.

Read more: Ryanair reduces flights to popular European destinations after tax dispute