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A major European destination has hinted at a potential doubling of its current departure tax, sparking fury from Ryanair as the move could cause further disruption in the aviation industry. In Belgium, the existing federal tax is set at five euros per passenger, but this is set to rise to 10 euros per passenger from 2027, potentially leading to increased costs for travellers.

Charleroi Airport in Belgium is also reportedly planning to charge passengers an additional three euros on their flights, according to proposals put forward by the Charleroi City Council. Some European publications have speculated that this could drive competition towards cheaper flights at neighbouring airports such as Paris-Beauvais and Lille Airport.

In response to the proposed tax change, Ryanair confirmed earlier this week that it will cut one million seats from its Brussels Winter 2026/27 schedule.

Ryanair stated that this decision will impact 20 routes on the schedule, arguing that the move contradicts practices in other EU markets like Slovakia, Sweden, Italy, and Hungary, where it claims taxes are being reduced to boost tourism. As a result, Ryanair is urging Belgian Prime Minister De Wever and the Mayor of Charleroi, Thomas Dermine, to reconsider the proposed plans.

Ryanair's Jason McGuinness declared: "The De Wever Govt has bizarrely decided to further increase Belgium's already sky-high aviation tax by another +100% from Jan 2027, on top of the +150% in July last. These repeated increases to this harmful aviation tax make Belgium completely uncompetitive compared to the many other EU countries, like Sweden, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia, where Govts are abolishing aviation taxes to drive traffic, tourism, and jobs.

"As a result of this second tax hike in just 5 months, Ryanair has been forced to cut -22% of its Brussels traffic (-1m seats), -5 aircraft from our Charleroi base (loss of US$500m investment), and 20 routes (13 from Charleroi & 7 from Zaventem) for Winter 26/27. Should the Charleroi city council proceed with its ill-judged proposal to introduce further taxes on passengers departing from Charleroi next year, these cuts will deepen as Ryanair will be forced to reduce flights, routes and based aircraft at Charleroi from as early as April 2026 with thousands of local jobs at risk.

"If Prime Minister De Wever and his Govt really wanted to revive Belgium's economy, they should abolish this harmful aviation tax, not double it. Despite so many other EU countries taking this step to support their economies, Belgium is going in the opposite direction, driving up access costs and pushing airlines and tourism elsewhere.

"We urge Prime Minister De Wever to scrap this damaging aviation tax before Belgian's traffic, tourism, jobs, and the wider economy collapse any further. Furthermore, the Charleroi city council needs to abandon its lunatic plans to increase taxes driving job losses with the effect of lowering payroll, VAT and corporate tax receipts for the local economy."

Belgium welcomes over 18 million tourists annually. The most recent data from the UK government says approximately 1.3 million Brits visit Belgium each year. Officials say the increased tax would pay for infrastructure improvements.