Ryanair has announced the closure of its base at Brussels international airport this winter, blaming an increase in airport charges and the imposition of a new flight tax.
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair group chief executive, warned of an “extremely challenging” winter amid the surge in fuel costs as he announced the withdrawal from Brussels Zaventum, saying: “An increase in airport charges is not sustainable.”
Confirming the move, O’Leary said: “This is due to the higher costs at Brussels Airport and the impact of a crazy and discriminatory tax that has been imposed on us, introduced by the Belgian government.
“The base could be reopened if the decision on the tax is reversed and if Zaventem reverses its increasing costs.”
The Belgian government introduced a flight ‘embarkation tax’ in April of €2, €4 or €10 depending on the destination.
Flights of under 500km attract the full €10 rate, longer flights within the EU and to the UK and Switzerland are taxed at €2, and flights beyond Europe at €4.
Ryanair will continue to operate to Brussels airport, but no longer base aircraft or crew there and will reduce operations by one third.
It will also continue to operate to and from its main base in Belgium at Charleroi which is 34 miles from Brussels.
The carrier only based two aircraft at Brussels compared with 15 at Charleroi.
O’Leary said Ryanair staff based at Zaventem would move to Charleroi or other airports.
Ryanair has faced strikes by Belgian pilots and cabin crew this year, but O’Leary said this did not influence the decision.
The airline confirmed the closure of its base at Athens airport for the winter last week, also blaming the airport’s charges.