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Ryanair Cuts 18 Brussels Routes After Airport Tax Surge

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. -18-brussels-routes-after-airport-tax-surge.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 13:50 GMT by Travel + Leisure
      Locale: Brussels-Capital Region, BELGIUM

Ryanair Slashes Brussels Routes in the Wake of a New Airport Tax

Travel + Leisure’s recent feature on Ryanair’s network shake‑up highlights how a sudden increase in airport fees at Brussels Airport is forcing one of Europe’s biggest low‑cost carriers to rethink its strategy in the region. According to the story, Ryanair announced that it will cut or eliminate flights from 18 European cities to Brussels, citing the steep rise in airport charges as the chief catalyst. The article paints a picture of the broader cost‑pressure wave that is sweeping the airline industry, while also explaining how passengers and other stakeholders are likely to feel the impact.

The Tax Hike That Sparked the Cuts

The core of Ryanair’s decision lies in Brussels Airport’s recent “tax increase” announcement, which was first reported by the airport’s own communications team in a press release linked in the article. The hike is essentially a blanket surcharge applied to every aircraft that takes off or lands at the main terminal. While the exact figure varies by aircraft size and destination, Ryanair’s sources in the article indicated that the fee would rise by roughly 15–20 % for most of its operations, translating into an additional €4–€6 per passenger in the case of Ryanair’s typical 50‑seat regional jets.

Brussels Airport explained that the additional revenue would be earmarked for runway expansion, terminal upgrades, and environmental initiatives—particularly a new carbon‑offset program intended to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint. However, the timing of the hike coincided with Ryanair’s expansion plans into Belgium, creating a sudden profit margin squeeze that prompted the carrier to reassess the viability of many of its Brussels routes.

Which Routes Are Affected?

The article lists several key destinations that will see reduced or discontinued service:

While the article notes that Ryanair’s flagship routes to Brussels—especially from Dublin, London, and Paris—will lose a significant portion of their daily departures, it also highlights a strategic pivot: Ryanair will increase flights to Brussels South Charleroi Airport, a secondary hub located 70 km south of the capital that currently enjoys lower airport fees. The airline’s spokesperson, quoted in the piece, said, “We’re looking at all the cost drivers in our network, and Charleroi offers a more sustainable base for future growth.”

The Ripple Effects on Passengers and the Industry

For travellers, the cuts mean fewer direct flights and a greater likelihood of connecting through other hubs. The article notes that the most common workaround is to book a flight to Charleroi and then take a bus or train into Brussels, an option that can add up to 90 minutes to the overall journey and, in some cases, cost up to €20 more than a direct Ryanair ticket. “We’re seeing a lot of people express frustration, but we’re also providing travel assistance via our customer service line to help them find the best alternatives,” the Ryanair rep told Travel + Leisure.

The broader industry, as contextualized in the article, is also feeling the pressure. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM have either already adjusted their Brussels schedules or have issued statements that they will monitor the situation closely. “Airport fees can have a disproportionate impact on low‑cost carriers,” an industry analyst cited in the article warned. “We may see a trend where airlines consolidate routes into secondary airports or shift traffic to different hub cities.”

The Bigger Picture: Rising Costs and Sustainability

Travel + Leisure’s piece situates Ryanair’s decision within a larger narrative of rising operational costs and increasing scrutiny over environmental impact. The article links to a separate coverage of the European Union’s “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism,” which is set to impose additional charges on flights that emit large amounts of CO₂. While Ryanair is primarily a European carrier and is exempt from many of the EU’s stricter rules, the company’s CEO highlighted that the Brussels tax is a clear signal that “airports will keep raising fees to fund sustainability projects.”

The story ends on a speculative note: whether Ryanair will eventually relocate its Brussels operations to Charleroi or other low‑fee airports, or whether the airline will lobby Brussels Airport for a phased fee schedule. It also hints at possible future partnership models where Ryanair might lease slots at Charleroi and offer codeshare agreements with airlines that already operate there.

Takeaway

In summary, Travel + Leisure’s article on Ryanair’s Brussels route cut underscores how a single airport’s fee increase can trigger a chain reaction across airlines’ networks. The airline is trimming 18 European routes to the capital in response to a roughly 20 % rise in airport charges—an adjustment that will inconvenience passengers but is framed as a necessary step to maintain profitability in a rapidly changing aviation landscape. As the story links to official airport releases, industry analyses, and related news on sustainability initiatives, it offers a comprehensive snapshot of how operational economics, environmental policy, and passenger convenience intersect in today’s air travel market.