Flight Travel News | October 20, 2026
Ryanair has announced a major reduction in its Belgian flight network for winter 2026, cutting 20 routes and approximately 1.1 million seats as the airline responds to a planned increase in Belgium's aviation tax.
The announcement, made on October 20, affects services at Brussels Airport in Zaventem and Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Ryanair also plans to withdraw six aircraft from its Belgian operations and redeploy them to other markets.
Which Routes Are Being Cut?
According to reporting by The Brussels Times, the reductions include eight routes from Brussels Airport and 12 from Charleroi.
Routes reported to be affected at Brussels Airport include services to Málaga, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid, Porto, Marrakech and Valencia. At Charleroi, reported cuts include routes to Amman, Dubrovnik, Nîmes, Genoa, Katowice, Lublin, Newcastle, Asturias, Poznań, Reggio Calabria, Sarajevo, Trapani and Warsaw Modlin.
Passengers should check Ryanair's booking system before making alternative arrangements, because route availability and final operating dates can vary.
Why Is Ryanair Reducing Flights?
Ryanair says the decision is linked to Belgium's planned increase in its aviation tax from €2 to €7 per passenger from January 2027. The airline argues that higher charges make Belgian airports less competitive compared with airports in other European countries.
The tax increase is planned for 2027, while the route and capacity reductions concern the airline's winter 2026 schedule. Ryanair has criticised the government's policy, but the company's assessment of its economic impact should be distinguished from independently established market-wide effects.
What Should Travellers Do?
- Check whether your route remains available for your intended travel date.
- If you already have a booking, monitor your email and Ryanair account for changes.
- Review the airline's rebooking or refund options if your flight is cancelled.
- Compare alternative airports and travel dates before buying a replacement ticket.
Travellers can compare available fares through this flight-search service. Availability and prices depend on the route and travel date.
What Happens Next?
The announcement could affect travellers planning winter trips through Belgium, especially those using Charleroi as a base for low-cost European travel. However, the cuts do not mean that either Brussels Airport or Charleroi Airport is closing.
Passengers should rely on current airline booking information rather than assuming that every route listed in older schedules will continue operating.
Source: Ryanair's corporate announcement and The Brussels Times.
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