TUI considers reducing aircraft presence in Belgium over tax concerns

TUI Airline is considering reducing its aircraft presence in Belgium due to an increasingly unfavorable tax climate. TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel indicated that the company is investigating whether to decrease the number of planes permanently stationed in the country, which currently includes approximately 20 aircraft and employs about 2,100 people.

The primary driver for this potential move is the rising flight tax in Belgium. Ebel noted that the Belgian government must consider the impact on holiday availability and affordability, particularly for budget-conscious travelers, if current tax policies continue.

This follows a similar move by Ryanair, which recently removed five of its 19 Belgian-based aircraft following tax increases, a decision that resulted in the loss of approximately 2 million seats and 150 jobs. TUI has already scaled back other operations in Belgium, including long-haul flights last year.