By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Ryanair Condemns Belgium’s Aviation Tax Hike
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Aviation > Ryanair Condemns Belgium’s Aviation Tax Hike
AviationTravel

Ryanair Condemns Belgium’s Aviation Tax Hike

Elpida Krili
Last updated: 17 February 2025 09:49
By Elpida Krili 4 Min Read
Share
Ryanair, severe economic and connectivity consequences, decision to increase the aviation tax, aviation tax, Belgium's
Boeing 737, Ryanair © Bene Riobó
SHARE

Belgium’s decision to increase the aviation tax on departing passengers has sparked strong opposition, particularly from Ryanair which warns of severe economic and connectivity consequences. The airline urges De Wever government to reconsider its decision. The suggested hike illustrates an extraordinary 150% increase and is planned to generate over 70 million in revenue almost double the €42 million collected in 2024.

Ryanair, severe economic and connectivity consequences, decision to increase the aviation tax, aviation tax, Belgium's
© Michael Oldfield

Severe economic and connectivity consequences

Brussels Zaventem Airport has already witnessed a striking 20% rise in operational taxes since the pandemic. This decision contradicts the ideals of other European nations such as Sweden, Hungary and Italy which eliminate similar practices to encourage air traffic and economic growth. These outrageous costs have led to the airport’s slow recovery with passenger traffic remaining at only 87% of pre-covid levels highly disproportional compared to other major European hubs. Consequently, the government risks the airport’s complete isolation from the rest of Europe’s aviation.  

While officials claim the tax increase intends to reduce short-haul flights for environmental reasons Ryanair dismisses their cause by characterising it as hypocritical. The airline also underlines a severe contradiction: while ordinary passengers will face higher costs, private jets and connecting flight passengers will see their tax reduced from €10 to €5. This scenario undermines the government’s environmental argument but emphasises Belgium’s primary goal of financial gain over sustainability. Therefore, the new tax will nearly double the revenue from €42 million in 2024 to €70 million.

Ryanair, severe economic and connectivity consequences, decision to increase the aviation tax, aviation tax, Belgium's
Zaventem Brussels Airport © Ad Meskens

Ryanair gives new insights

Ryanair urges the authorities to follow the lead of the mentioned countries by focusing on reviving air travel rather than imposing excessive levies that burden ordinary passengers and hinder recovery. If the government remains adamant about its policies it risks losing competitiveness pushing travellers to alternative hubs and damaging the country’s aviation industry. Moreover, the tax increase will urge passengers to seek connecting flights that cause more pollution, obstructing the country’s primary sustainability goal. More explicitly, a Ryanair spokesperson said:

Unlike other EU countries like Sweden, Hungary, and regional Italy, which are abolishing aviation taxes and cutting airport charges to maintain competitiveness and stimulate traffic growth, the new Belgian Govt proposes increasing its aviation tax on ordinary passengers by up to 150%. This short-sighted decision will have a detrimental impact on Belgium’s connectivity, traffic, jobs, and economy – particularly at the already very expensive Brussels Zaventem Airport, where charges have increased by over 20% since Covid and traffic has failed to recover at just 87% of its pre-Covid levels.

In light of its decision to increase the aviation tax, will Belgium prioritise economic recovery and passengers’ convenience or stay committed to the debatable measure? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

You Might Also Like

Airbus Delivered 63 Aircraft While Boeing Delivered 60 in June 2025

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays Ranked Number One in UK Customer Survey

Norwegian to Purchase Three Boeing 737-800 Aircraft

Pegasus Airlines Launches New Bristol-Istanbul Service

Man Dies at Milan Airport After Being Sucked into a Plane’s Engine

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad1
Happy0
Angry0
Elpida Krili
By Elpida Krili
News Editor - Originally from Greece, Elpida is an English language literature graduate, currently pursuing her Master's degree in Linguistics. Her studies have helped her understand the complexities of language and the importance in conveying the desirable message to readers when writing content. Alongside this, Elpida loves travelling so looks forward to bringing her passion and interest to the readers of Travel Radar!
Previous Article A Binter ATR 72-600 aircraft on a runway Binter Canaries Places in New Order for ATR 72-600 Aircraft
Next Article WestJet and Lufthansa Technik partnership in Calgary WestJet & Lufthansa Technik sign historic development deal
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Inside a plane
Window vs Aisle : The Traveller’s Dilemma
Aviation Travel
A stunning view of the serene Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, featuring green limestone islands and several boats cruising on the calm waters.
2025 summer hot spots you may overlooked, unfolded by Emirates’ analysis
Airlines Aviation Travel
Air India Plane crash
AAIB submits preliminary report on Air India AI‑171 crash
Aircraft Airlines Aviation Incidents & Accidents
Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam (fifth from left), Cathay Director Chinese Mainland Arnold Cheng (fifth from right), Cathay Director Digital and IT Lawrence Fong (fourth from left), Cathay General Manager Chinese Mainland Commercial and Operations Martin Xu (fourth from right), Cathay General Manager IT Solutions Annie Ling (third from right), Cathay General Manager IT Infrastructure and Security Rajeev Nair (second from right), Cathay General Manager Digital Ventures Navin Chellaram (third from left) and Cathay General Manager Digital Aldric Chau (second from left) marked the opening of Cathay's new Shenzhen IT office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Cathay opens a new IT office in Shenzhen
Airline Economics Airlines Airshow & Events Aviation
Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5 complex viewed from control tower.
Heathrow Reimagined: A Call for a Better Passenger Experience
Airline Economics Aviation Did You Know
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Click here to Signup!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?