Ryanair Cuts Belgian Routes Over Aviation Tax Hike
The airline is pulling six aircraft and 20 routes from its Belgian schedule due to rising passenger taxes.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Air Travel
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Ryanair has announced the removal of 20 routes from its Belgian flight program for the 2026/27 winter season, resulting in the cancellation of approximately 1.1 million seats. This reduction follows the decision to withdraw six aircraft from its operations based in Brussels.
Why it matters
Ryanair attributes the service cuts to the Belgian government increasing the aviation tax for departing passengers from €2 to €7 in January 2027. The airline contends that these higher costs make the Belgian market less competitive compared to other European nations.
Ryanair is cutting 20 routes and withdrawing six aircraft from its Brussels operations for the winter 2026/27 season. Meanwhile, the airline continues to serve Malaga with 82 winter routes and over 3.4 million seats.
The players
Ryanair
An Irish low-cost airline that is the largest in Europe by number of passengers carried.
Brussels Airlines
The flag carrier and largest airline of Belgium based at Brussels Airport.
The details
The flight route between Malaga and Brussels-Zaventem is suspended for the upcoming winter season as a direct result of the operational changes. While Ryanair scales back, Brussels Airlines has announced plans to increase capacity on its own routes to Malaga.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Ryanair announced the reduction of its Belgian route network.
Winter 2026/27: The Malaga-Brussels route is suspended.
January 2027: The Belgian aviation tax increases to €7 per passenger.
April 2027: Ryanair is scheduled to end all operations at Bremen Airport.
Travel Outlook
This reduction in service reflects a broader trend of airlines shifting capacity away from markets where specific government aviation taxes increase operational overhead. It contrasts with the historical expansion of low-cost travel across European regional hubs.
Travelers planning trips between Malaga and Brussels this winter should verify their flight status, as the direct Ryanair route has been suspended. Those affected should consider alternative carriers such as Brussels Airlines, which is expected to increase capacity on the route.
The takeaway
Travelers should anticipate potential consolidation on routes affected by changing local taxes and fees. When booking international travel, checking the status of smaller regional airports and low-cost carriers remains essential for avoiding unexpected cancellations.
What happens next
The Belgian aviation tax is scheduled to increase from €2 to €7 in January 2027, which will likely trigger further adjustments in airline pricing models. Additionally, Ryanair will officially end all operations at Bremen Airport in April 2027.
Further reading
For more context on how market shifts are impacting international flight availability, visit our section on Air Travel.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Euro Weekly News Spain.
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