BRUSSELS

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair will cut 1.1 million passenger seats at the Charleroi and Brussels airports in Belgium in response to higher taxes, CEO Michael O'Leary announced Wednesday.

The decision follows the Belgian government's plan to increase the federal air tax to 10€ ($11.64) in 2027. In addition, Charleroi city authorities introduced a tax of 3€ per passenger starting in 2026.

O'Leary described the taxes as "stupid" and "ridiculous," and warned that the company may shift operations to countries with lower levies, the Belga news agency reported.

"We're not going to leave Charleroi but we will get significantly smaller,” he said at a news conference in Brussels. “We like Belgium, we want to continue to invest in Belgium … but if you get stupid politicians levying stupid taxes, we will reverse those plans," he said.

O'Leary added that the company could reverse the decision if Charleroi cancels the planned tax.

But the Charleroi City Council confirmed the measure has already been approved and is included in the 2026 budget.

Ryanair carried about 10.1 million passengers in Belgium last year, with 8.9 million through Charleroi and 1.2 million via the Brussels Airport.

O'Leary said an additional 1.1 million-seat reduction could occur next year if the federal government maintains the tax increase.