Ryanair Reduces Flights from Brussels-Zaventem to Marrakech
On October 22, 2026, it was announced that Ryanair has made significant cuts to its winter flight schedule for 2026-2027, affecting its operations in Belgium. The low-cost airline is withdrawing a total of twenty routes, removing six aircraft from service, and consequently slashing 1.1 million seats in its offering. As a result, travelers hoping to fly from Brussels-Zaventem to Marrakech will need to seek alternative options, as this popular Moroccan destination will no longer be available from the main Brussels airport starting in November. Following this decision, the only remaining destination Ryanair will service from Brussels-Zaventem will be Dublin.
Travelers who regularly fly to the vibrant city of Marrakech from Brussels Airport will discover they need to adjust their travel plans. Fortunately, an alternative route remains open, as flights to Marrakech are still operational from Charleroi Airport, which is located approximately sixty kilometers from Brussels. Ryanair continues to offer direct flights from Charleroi to Marrakech, with tickets available for booking in the upcoming months, including November, December, and January, and extending the flight program through to March 2027.
Impact of Increased Aviation Tax on Flight Availability
This drastic reduction in flights is attributed to an increase in federal aviation taxes imposed on airline tickets. Currently set at 5 euros, this tax is set to rise to 7 euros on January 1, 2027. Ryanair has criticized the cumulative tax increase of 250% since January 2025, when the tax was only 2 euros. The airline's CEO, Michael O’Leary, announced the cuts, highlighting that seven routes will be eliminated from Zaventem, while thirteen will be cut from Charleroi, although the latter will maintain a total of 75 routes.
For Moroccan expatriates and travelers in Belgium, the Charleroi route remains a viable option for reaching Marrakech this winter. Currently, the schedule indicates approximately nine direct flights per week on this route, which will continue until March 27, 2027. This alternative is crucial for maintaining connectivity for those wishing to visit Morocco during the winter months.
As reported by bladi.net.
