Airlines oppose new increase in Belgian flight tax
On Wednesday, the Board of Airline Representatives in Belgium (BAR Belgium) - a federation representing 28 airlines operating in the country - issued a sharp response to the government’s plans for another increase in the national flight tax.
BAR Belgium argues that the sector is still recovering from the pandemic, yet passengers are being "hit once again with heavy charges" while long-term mobility solutions remain absent. This is already the second increase this year.
Currently, the tax on flights of up to 500 kilometres is 10 euros. For longer flights, the tax was raised to 5 euros in July. The Belgian government has now decided to increase the levy to 10 euros from 2027, with a further increase to 11 euros planned for 2029.
BAR Belgium describes the tax as a “blunt instrument” designed purely to plug budget gaps. It says that it can't meaningfully change traveller behaviour as long as alternatives remain insufficient. High-speed rail connections to and from Brussels Airport, for example, remain underdeveloped, and many destinations have no viable low-carbon alternative.
Paying more for a worse service
The organisation also criticises the airport's border control operations. It says that travellers can face queues of up to three hours, which is pushing international companies towards airports such as Frankfurt, London and Paris. Frequent strikes cause further delays and disrupt the sector. The association describes the situation as "paying more for a worse service".
While BAR Belgium acknowledges the government’s need to reduce public debt, it argues that passengers should not bear the cost of what it describes as “historic mismanagement” again. The federation is calling for input from the industry on efforts to improve the efficiency of public services, noting that travellers already contribute through social charges, fees, and airport taxes.
The organisation concludes that the planned additional increase in 2029 is “unacceptable”, pointing to Sweden and Germany, where similar taxes were reduced after evidence showed significant economic damage or no change in travel behaviour.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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