Ryanair cuts 20 Belgian winter routes and warns of higher fares in 2027

Brussels, Belgium. Ryanair announced on Tuesday that it would withdraw 20 routes and more than one million seats from its winter 2026 operations in Belgium, citing a planned aviation tax increase. Chief executive Michael O’Leary separately warned that rising fuel costs would push fares significantly higher in 2027.

Tax increase blamed for schedule cuts

The airline said it would deploy six fewer aircraft across Brussels Charleroi and Brussels Zaventem airports during winter 2026, describing the change as a $600 million reduction in investment.

Ryanair linked the decision to Belgium’s planned increase in aviation tax, from €2 for each ticket in January 2025 to €7 in January 2027. It argued that the higher charge would weaken Belgium’s competitiveness relative to cheaper European destinations.

O’Leary said aviation taxes increased costs and redirected traffic towards countries with more competitive conditions. Criticising Belgium’s approach, he argued that the planned increase would deter investment, cut passenger numbers and tourism, and lead to job losses.

Fuel protection set to expire

In an interview with Euronews, O’Leary said passengers should anticipate substantially higher fares next year as Ryanair’s protection against fuel price increases comes to an end.

“We guarantee no fuel surcharges, but there is no doubt that air fares are going to rise significantly in 2027 because of much higher oil prices,” he said.

Ryanair has secured fuel for this year at approximately $67 a barrel through advance pricing agreements. O’Leary said he expected that price to double next year when those arrangements expire.

Oil prices climb amid supply concerns

The warning came as oil prices rose amid the Middle East war and concerns about supplies from the Persian Gulf.

According to the report, international oil benchmark Brent crude ended Friday at $109.86 a barrel, its highest closing price since May, and later exceeded $110.