Ryanair cancels routes from Brussels to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Malaga due to increased taxes in Belgium

Ryanair has announced the cancellation of approximately twenty flight routes from Brussels and Charleroi airports, effective starting next weekend. The affected routes include connections from Brussels to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Málaga, as well as service from Charleroi to Oviedo, Dubrovnik, and Nimes. Only the route between Brussels and Dublin will remain operational at the primary airport during the summer season, while Charleroi will continue to maintain a fleet of 13 aircraft for its remaining operations.

The airline’s decision is a direct response to the Belgian government's decision to increase airport taxes. Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, characterized the service reductions as a retaliatory measure against the new fiscal policy imposed on the aviation sector in Belgium.