Ryanair has urged the Belgian government to reconsider its planned increase in aviation taxes, citing significant potential harm to flight operations and employment. The airline specifically pointed to the announced doubling of the tax on flights over 500 kilometers, from €2 to €10, starting in 2027. This measure, the airline argued, threatens to reduce flight availability and lead to job losses at key airports such as Charleroi and Brussels.
The airline noted that the tax had already increased from €2 to €5 last summer and warned that the proposed new levy amounts to a "fivefold" rise. Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson emphasized that delaying action until July is too late, as airlines will have already scheduled their winter and summer flights, making it difficult to adapt in time.
Wilson also highlighted that failure to act promptly could result in the removal of over two million seats from Charleroi Airport starting in October, with thousands of jobs at risk. The airline called on the government to act immediately to prevent these adverse effects and maintain connectivity and employment at the affected airports.
