Christophe Segaert warns Charleroi tax rise could cut 1.5 million passengers
charleroi airport says a higher airline tax and Ryanair’s plan to withdraw five aircraft could cut traffic by up to 1.5 million passengers. Christophe Segaert, the airport’s chief executive, tied that forecast to the law-programme vote that doubled the per-passenger tax to 10 euros from January 1, 2027.
He said the airport could lose up to 2 million seats and warned the tax would cost more than it brings in. Ryanair kept its decision to withdraw three aircraft at the beginning of September and two more at the end of October from its 19-plane base at Charleroi.
Christophe Segaert on Charleroi
Segaert said: “Cela devrait représenter jusqu’à 2 millions de sièges et 1,5 million de passagers en moins”. He added: “Cette mesure coûtera plus cher qu’elle ne rapporte”.
He also said: “Elle coûtera 137 millions contre 87 millions de recettes prévues. Le calcul a été établi en estimant que le nombre de passagers ne changera pas.” Charleroi handled 11 million passengers in 2025, so the airport’s estimate points to a drop of about 10%.
Ryanair's Charleroi base
Ryanair accounts for more than 80% of Charleroi Airport’s passengers, which makes the aircraft cuts a direct hit on the airport’s biggest operator. The carrier has 19 aircraft based at Charleroi, and the planned withdrawals begin before the tax increase takes effect.
Charleroi recorded a monthly traffic record in April with 1.148 million passengers. Segaert said: “En avril, nous avons battu le record de la fréquentation mensuelle, avec 1 148 millions de passagers. Soit le chiffre que l’aéroport faisait sur un an il y a 25 ans”. The airport said traffic is trending upward by about 10%.
Walloon government and July
The walloon government opposes the tax increase, and a discussion could lead to a decision in July. Charleroi said the higher tax could create a financial and social impact, while the airport warned it could face a historic decline outside the covid period.
For passengers and staff at Charleroi, the immediate change is already set: Ryanair’s cuts arrive first, then the tax increases on January 1, 2027. The next pressure point is whether the July discussion changes the tax path before the airport absorbs both measures.
