Belgium to increase tax on private aircraft and short flights

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Belgium to increase tax on private aircraft and short flights
Photo: Yuri G - Unsplash

NU.nl – The Belgian government has introduced a new tax on private aircraft as a part of new legislation aimed at combating the pollution and noise issues related to the aviation industry. 

Until now, aircraft making significant amounts of noise whilst landing at Brussels Airport are required to pay a tax because of it. However, private jets have previously been exempt from this policy. This is set to change on April 1 2023, when a new tax will be introduced. This new tax will be a higher rate for flights that are shorter than 500 kilometres, a measure designed to discourage unnecessary short flights. 

One particular target of this policy is to ensure that those flying for business reasons also pay the same tax as others. In the words of Transport Minister Georges Gilkinet, given that ‘business flights’ account for 1 in 8 flight movements in Belgium, it is “only logical that they should also be taxed”. 


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