Belgium air passenger tax to increase to €10 on all flights no matter distance

Belgium raises air passenger tax

Belgium plans a phased increase of its air passenger tax over the next five years, affecting all flights departing from the country. The surcharge will reach a flat €10 per passenger from 2027, regardless of flight distance.

Current tax structure

At present, Belgium applies different tax levels depending on how far passengers travel. Long- and medium-haul flights over 500 km are taxed at €5 per departing passenger, while short-haul routes face a €10 charge.

Planned increases to 2029

From 1 January 2027, every airline ticket for a departure from a Belgian airport will carry a uniform €10 levy, with no distinction between short-, medium- or long-haul flights. In 2029, the tax is scheduled to rise further to €11 per departing passenger, and the existing short-haul fee will be increased in €0.50 steps in 2028 and 2029.

Fiscal goals and expected revenue

The Belgian federal government links the higher air passenger tax to its multi‑year budget plans. The measure is expected to generate up to about €184 million in additional annual revenue once the full increases are in place.

Airline and industry criticism

Major airlines have reacted sharply to the announcement, arguing that the higher tax will damage Belgium’s competitiveness as an aviation market. Ryanair has described the move as turning Belgium into “one of the least competitive markets in Europe” and has called the hike, relative to earlier levels, a de facto 250% increase.

Brussels Airlines has also spoken out against the higher levy, saying the policy runs “against the trend” in other European countries. As examples, the carrier points to Germany’s plan to reduce similar taxes, Italy’s continued use of local fiscal measures instead of broad national increases, and Sweden’s decision to scrap an aviation tax that coincided with a marked drop in flights.

Concerns about traffic, tourism and jobs

Airlines warn that repeatedly raising the tax will deter passengers and reroute traffic through other hubs. In their view, the policy risks harming tourism, cutting aviation‑related employment and ultimately reducing, rather than increasing, government revenues.

Link to green policy and rail alternatives

While criticising the tax hike, Brussels Airlines has also used the debate to demand better rail links to Brussels Airport. The flag carrier argues that stronger high‑speed rail connections would encourage travellers to replace very short connecting flights, such as Brussels–Paris, with train journeys and would support climate‑related policy goals.

Belgium plans a multi‑year rise in its air passenger tax, taking it to a flat €10 per departing passenger from 2027 and €11 from 2029, despite strong opposition from major airlines.

Travel Tomorrow — 2025-11-28