The decision, made on environmental grounds, is placing financial pressure on holidaymakers and families.
With the start of the summer holiday season, the Belgian Federal Government has introduced a new flight tax regulation that is attracting attention. Under the new measure, called “inschepingstaks”, all airline passengers will be subject to an additional tax—regardless of when their tickets were purchased.
Scope Expanded: Passengers with Existing Tickets Also Included
While the government states that the primary goal of this policy is environmental sustainability, it specifically aims to encourage more eco-friendly travel alternatives like trains for short-distance journeys.
Key details of the new regulation include:
-
Flights under 500 km:
→ The existing €10 tax per passenger will remain in place. -
Flights over 500 km:
→ The tax has been increased from €2 to €5 per passenger.
All passengers are required to pay the tax, regardless of when the ticket was purchased.
Extra Costs for Family Travellers
The new tax regulation places an additional financial burden especially on families planning to travel abroad for the summer holidays. For instance, a family of four flying more than 500 km will now have to pay an extra €20 just due to this regulation.
Public Outrage Grows
The inclusion of previously purchased tickets in the new tax has sparked debates about fairness in Belgium. Many travellers argue that “adding a fee to a service already paid for is neither legally nor ethically acceptable.”
Critics on social media have pointed out that “the government is using environmental concerns as a pretext to collect more money from citizens.”
Environmental Aim, Economic Impact
Although government officials claim the regulation aligns with the European Union’s green transition goals, the public remains critical of the fact that the financial burden is being passed on to travellers.
