Charleroi airport will introduce a new 3-euro per-passenger municipal tax this year, a move that will affect many Ryanair routes since most Belgian flights operate via Charleroi.

Ryanair currently operates 18 aircraft at Charleroi serving 119 destinations, while Brussels Zaventem hosts 11 Ryanair aircraft; the airline opposes both the municipal tax and the federal plan to raise passenger ticket taxes.

Belgian authorities had anticipated a reduction in flights at both Brussels and Charleroi as part of policy shifts noted by local media.

From Charleroi, five aircraft will be based there and 20 routes will be removed from Ryanair’s 2026-2027 winter schedule, trimming Belgium’s air services.

Ryanair plans to cut about 1.1 million seats on Belgium-bound flights as higher taxes take effect from 2027.

Charleroi City Council confirmed the tax plan and that projected revenue was included in the 2026 budget after a democratic vote.

The reduction targets flight frequency rather than destination counts, affecting operations from Charleroi and Brussels Zaventem.

The airline’s broader response to Belgian air taxes includes signaling reduced offerings at Zaventem and Charleroi.

From Brussels Zaventem, routes to Porto will continue, with Charleroi focusing aircraft for routes to Lisbon and Faro.

Last year Ryanair carried about 10.1 million passengers at Belgian airports, with 8.9 million through Charleroi and 1.2 million via Zaventem.

Belgian government will raise the air passenger tax from 5 euros to 10 euros per passenger starting in 2027, making aviation less attractive for some carriers.

Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary called the tax increases stupid and ridiculous, warning the airline could relocate services to countries with lower taxes.