Ryanair is significantly scaling back operations in Belgium, cutting 1.1 million seats and closing 20 routes due to the government’s decision to increase aviation taxes. CEO Michael O'Leary argues that these policies damage competitiveness, citing successful growth in countries like Sweden, Italy, and Slovakia that have abolished such levies. The airline has proposed a seven-year growth plan to increase traffic from 11 to 16 million passengers, contingent on the removal of these taxes and the easing of restrictive airport curfews. Looking ahead to 2027, airfares across Europe are expected to rise by 15-20% as airlines face unhedged fuel costs and increased environmental regulations. Without a shift in policy, Belgium will continue to lose capacity to more favorable markets, leading to higher costs for consumers and diminished economic activity.
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