Ryanair Threatens to Cancel 2 Million Seats and Jobs in Belgium

The Prime Minister, Bart de Wever, is feeling the heat after the airline company Ryanair decided to challenge him and his government. A review of the federal boarding tax is being considered by the government, but the July deadline does not sit well with the airline. It threatens to remove 2 million seats and thousands of jobs in Belgium if the government does not react immediately.

Ryanair Calls for Immediate Removal of Boarding Tax

The Irish “low-cost” airline is pressuring the government, citing a scheduling conflict. Ryanair’s communication suggests that flight schedules for winter 2026 and summer 2027 will be finalized in July, and without Belgian government assurance, seats will be cut. “Traffic, tourism, and Belgian jobs will be lost,” the airline stated.

Airline Puts Pressure on the Government

The impact on tourism and the aviation sector could be significant if both parties fail to find a solution. “If Prime Minister De Wever does not want to be responsible for the loss of two million seats and thousands of jobs at Charleroi Airport by October, then he should immediately abolish this tax, as other countries have done,” warned the airline.

Charleroi Airport had already expressed concerns that the discussion schedule between the federal and regional governments did not align with the operational reality of the aviation industry.

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