An increase in both the federal departure tax and the municipal tax is raising concerns at Charleroi Airport, which warns the measures would “durably and structurally affect” the airport.
Belgian federal MPs voted this summer to introduce a €5 tax on all flights over 500 km and €10 on flights below that distance, double the current rate, from 2027.
At municipal level, the City of Charleroi has introduced a €3 tax per passenger from 2026.
In response, Ryanair announced it was considering cutting five routes. This would have repercussions estimated at several hundred thousand passengers per year, representing “1,100” direct and indirect jobs, according to the airport’s chief executive, speaking this Tuesday in the Belgian media.
The airport’s management hopes to convince the Belgian state to revert to the €5 tax and to have the €3 tax announced by the municipality withdrawn.
