Ryanair Axes 20 Routes at Brussels Airports
Ryanair is removing 20 routes from Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi for winter 2026/27, cutting 1.1 million seats and withdrawing six aircraft. Announced on 20 October, the reductions affect flights to destinations including Spain, Italy and the UK. The airline blames Belgium’s higher departure tax. Passengers with winter bookings should check their individual flights rather than assume every service on an affected route has been cancelled.
What to Check if Your Ryanair Flight Is Affected
- Bookings: Check My Bookings and Ryanair’s cancellation email before making changes.
- Airports: Confirm whether your ticket shows Brussels Airport (BRU) or Charleroi (CRL).
- Refunds: You don't have to accept another flight if Ryanair cancels yours. You can get your money back.
- Meals and hotels: Ask Ryanair to arrange these if you're stranded. Keep receipts if you have to pay yourself.
- Alternatives: Compare journey times and fares before switching airports.
According to The Brussels Times, Ryanair is dropping routes between Brussels Airport in Zaventem and Málaga, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Porto, Marrakech and Rome Fiumicino, leaving Dublin as its only service there. Charleroi loses connections including Newcastle, Dubrovnik, Asturias, Katowice and Sarajevo. The 1.1 million figure describes seats removed from the schedule, not passengers whose tickets have been cancelled.
Belgium’s departure tax currently stands at €5 for many flights and is set to rise to €7 on 1 January 2027. Ryanair attributes the cuts to that increase, although the tax change is not itself a cancellation notice. Brussels Airport has a railway station directly beneath the terminal. Charleroi has a 55-minute shuttle to Brussels-Midi, with advertised fares starting at €14.99.
Under EU passenger-rights rules, passengers whose flights are cancelled can request a refund or comparable rerouting, even when told at least 14 days ahead. Separate cash compensation depends on the circumstances and notification period. If Ryanair reroutes you through a different airport, ask it to arrange or cover the transfer. A self-booked replacement flight or hotel will not automatically be reimbursed.