In a sector as dynamic and competitive as air travel, the strategic decisions taken by airlines can have far-reaching repercussions. Recently, Ryanair, the European low-cost giant, announced a significant reduction in capacity in Belgium and other European countries. This drastic measure is not insignificant; it is part of an open battle against what its CEO, Michael O'Leary, describes as «stupid taxes». This decision symbolizes a tax war that could well reshape air routes and influence travelers' choices.
Belgium, Ryanair's first battleground
Belgium is at the heart of this offensive. Ryanair plans to drastically reduce its operations at Charleroi-Brussels South airport, a major European hub for the airline. A total of 1.1 million seats are to be cut from 2026, with the threat of a further reduction if taxes are not reviewed. These measures follow a gradual increase in the Belgian federal tax on airline tickets to 10 euros per passenger by 2027, and a proposed municipal tax of 3 euros per passenger departing from Charleroi as of April 2026.
The impact of taxation on airlines
Michael O'Leary didn't mince his words, denouncing politicians' lack of understanding of the mobility of air transport and its passengers. His strategy is clear: faced with taxes deemed excessive, Ryanair is moving its aircraft and seats to more fiscally attractive markets. This reallocation could affect between 3 and 4 million seats across Europe by 2026, impacting countries such as Germany and France, to the benefit of more competitive options in Italy, Hungary, Sweden, Slovakia and Morocco.
Germany and France under pressure from Ryanair
Germany is not immune to this strategy. Ryanair has already reduced its schedule there, criticizing higher air taxes and access costs deemed too high. The company is pointing the finger at base closures and route cuts, and calling on Berlin to reduce taxes to preserve capacity and jobs.
France is also affected. Ryanair has reduced its offer, cutting routes and seats, blaming higher taxes. At the same time, the company is strengthening its presence in countries where costs are more favorable, such as the UK, Italy, the Nordic countries and Morocco, where a new base in Rabat is planned for 2026.
A reallocation strategy to bring pressure to bear
Ryanair uses this ability to rapidly reallocate aircraft as leverage in its negotiations with European governments. The aim is to encourage them to reconsider their tax policies, which are deemed detrimental to the sector's growth, tourism and local employment.
The political and fiscal tug-of-war
For Ryanair, higher air taxes support neither growth nor the ecological transition. The company argues that taxing traffic only displaces tourists and jobs to more accommodating countries.
Governments, for their part, defend these measures as necessary to finance the ecological transition of aviation and consolidate their public finances. This conflict between budgetary imperatives, climate objectives and job preservation promises to continue, potentially redefining the map of air services in Europe.
Flywest is closely observing these developments, which testify to the air industry's sensitivity to tax policies and the agility of low-cost airlines in adapting to a changing environment.
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