TUI is considering reducing the number of aircraft based in Belgium as the group faces a heavier aviation tax burden in the country. Chief executive Sebastian Ebel warned that the operating environment in Belgium is negative and that aircraft could be removed, raising the prospect of a smaller local fleet and a reduced commercial footprint.
The company has about 20 aircraft based in Belgium and employs roughly 2,100 people there. Any reduction in aircraft would affect capacity rather than signal an immediate, formal cut, as no routes, airports or aircraft types have been identified.
The remarks follow Belgium’s decision in mid-June to raise its flight tax from €5 to €7 from 1 January 2027, rather than doubling it to €10 as initially discussed. The tax change has sharpened concerns among airlines about cost pressure in the market, where fiscal policy can influence fleet deployment and network decisions.