Route Cancellations Take Effect Next Weekend

Ryanair will cancel its flight route between Brussels and Barcelona next weekend as part of a wider withdrawal of services from Brussels and Charleroi airports. The move follows the Belgian government's decision to increase airport taxes, which CEO Michael O'Leary announced would trigger the cancellation of around 20 routes. The Brussels to Barcelona route is among those being scrapped, along with flights to Madrid, Valencia, and Malaga.

Job Losses and Passenger Impact

While O'Leary stated that Ryanair staff would not be affected and would be redeployed to other bases in Slovakia and Hungary, Belgian media and official sources confirm indirect job losses. According to responses from the Minister for Airports, Cécile Neven, to Walloon deputies, 36 fixed-term contracts at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) were not renewed in September. The airport expects a loss of approximately 1.5 million passengers due to the withdrawal of five Ryanair aircraft, representing a near 18% drop in capacity. The airport's spokesperson, Nathalie Pierard, warned that 150 jobs at BSCA are under threat, with a further 1,100 positions among suppliers and subcontractors potentially impacted. These include roles in maintenance, catering, security, and retail services.

Belgian Tax Increases Spark Dispute

The dispute centres on Belgium's planned increase in federal air passenger tax to €10 from 2027, alongside a new €3 per-passenger levy imposed by the city of Charleroi on the airport itself. Ryanair argues these measures make operations unsustainable. O'Leary branded the policies 'stupid' and warned that if tax increases continue, Ryanair will eliminate up to two million seats annually from its network in Belgium. Currently, Ryanair is scrapping 1.1 million passenger seats in Belgium, primarily from Charleroi, with further cuts planned for summer 2027 unless the tax policy is reversed.

Warning of 'Biggest Price Hike in History'

O'Leary also issued a broader warning to European travellers, citing rising fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict. He predicted that ticket prices would see the 'biggest increase in history in Europe' next summer. Advising passengers to book early, he said: 'Prices are going to skyrocket, although Europe will probably subsidize them later.' He anticipated that major carriers like Lufthansa and Air France would receive government support in such a scenario, unlike low-cost operators such as Ryanair.

I would encourage you, if you want to fly next summer, to book your holidays as soon as possible, because prices are going to skyrocket

, Michael O'Leary, Ryanair CEO

What This Means for Travellers

Passengers planning to travel between Belgium and Spain should note that the Brussels to Barcelona route will no longer operate from next weekend. Those with existing bookings should contact Ryanair directly for alternatives. The airline continues to operate flights from Brussels to Dublin. Travellers should also anticipate potential price increases on other European routes next summer and consider booking early.

Reported by lavenir.net, hbvl.be, regul.be, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.