The “Idiotic” Tax War: Why Cheap Flights to Belgium Might Disappear in 2026
If you are planning a budget trip to Belgium later this year, you might want to book it today. By tomorrow, the seat might not exist.
As of January 15, the simmering tension between the Belgian federal government and Ryanair has exploded into open warfare. The catalyst? A new, steeper embarkation tax that the airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, has characteristically branded “idiotic.” But behind the colorful language lies a cold economic reality that is about to hit the Belgian tourism sector hard.
The Threat: 2 Million Seats Gone The math is brutal. In response to the tax hike—which aims to discourage short-haul flights in favor of rail—Ryanair has threatened to slash nearly 2 million seats from its 2026/2027 schedule. The primary casualty is Brussels South Charleroi (CRL), the low-cost hub that serves as the gateway for millions of students, backpackers, and budget-conscious families.
The Green vs. Gold Dilemma This is the classic 2026 friction point.
- The Government’s View: The tax is a necessary environmental lever. Cheap flights are artificially low-priced, and the polluter (the passenger) must pay to offset the carbon.
- The Traveler’s Reality: Not everyone can afford the high-speed Eurostar or Thalys. By pricing out the low-cost carriers, Belgium risks becoming a destination solely for the business elite.
This is a high-stakes game of chicken. If Ryanair pulls the trigger on these cuts, the immediate impact will be a spike in prices across all carriers due to reduced competition. Our advice? If you see a fare under €50 to Brussels for this summer, grab it. It might be a collector’s item soon.
