Low-cost carrier Ryanair has confirmed it will not reopen its base Brussels-Zaventem (BRU) ahead of an increase in operating costs for airlines operating out of the airport. Rumors had circulated that the base, closed in October 2022, could be reopened for the summer season.

Moving out

Ryanair temporarily paused operating out of the base over the Winter season citing increased costs and taxes making flights from Brussels less competitive. Flights remained largely unaffected, bar a handful of cancellations, with services being operated with aircraft based elsewhere.

Ryanair operates 12 routes out of Brussels to destinations including Dublin (DUB), Madrid (MAD), and Rome (FCO). Of the 30 Ryanair flights serving the airport each day, ten were operated by Belgian crews.

The two remaining aircraft at Brussels were moved to other airports across Ryanair’s network. Though the jets had been planned to return for the Easter holiday season in March, CEO Michael O’Leary refused to guarantee that the base would reopen.

In a statement provided to Reuters on Wednesday, O’Leary again emphasized the increase in costs in Brussels,

"Despite recent rumours, we will not be reopening our Brussels Zaventem base in summer 2023 due to Zaventem Airport's decision to increase prices by 11% for airlines and passengers from April 2023.

"However, customers can still book Ryanair's low fares on 12 Zaventem routes that will continue to operate to/from Brussels Zaventem for S23 on aircraft based outside Belgium."

Union response

Ryanair has faced backlash from regional unions ACV Puls and CNE, which backed earlier strike action over poor work conditions and the airline’s decision to second staff at other bases across Europe, notably the smaller Brussels-Charleroi (CRL), which saw a sharp increase in focus from Ryanair during summer.

In a statement to Belga, Hans Elsen, secretary of ACV Puls, criticized Ryanair’s sudden decision as a “bizarre form of competition between Charleroi and Brussels Airport.”

“As an explanation for the closure, the management refers to the fact that it could not reach an agreement with Brussels Airport on lower fares. The fares at Charleroi are unrealistically low, and Ryanair is cleverly exploiting them to make a profit.”

Elsen expressed hope that the airline would apply the “Renault procedure” so that alternative employment options would be available to crew members.

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Impact

Twelve routes from Brussels will be operated during this summer with aircraft based outside of Belgium, a slight decrease from Summer 2022’s 16 destinations.O’Leary assured that operations at nearby Brussels-Charleroi will not be affected. Ryanair will add another three destinations to the airport’s network map after adding 20 new routes last year.

“Ryanair’s flights on 109 routes to/from Charleroi will be unaffected by this decision and we look forward to welcoming millions of Belgian customers/visitors onboard our flights to/from both Brussels Charleroi and Zaventem Airports this Summer.”

What are your thoughts on Ryanair’s decision to shut down its Brussels base? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: Belga, Reuters, Aviation24

• 

  Ryanair

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  FR/RYR

  Airline Type:

  Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Dublin Airport, London Stansted Airport, Milan Bergamo Airport

  Year Founded:

  1985

  Airline Group:

  Ryanair Group

  CEO:

  Eddie Wilson

  Country:

  Ireland