Ryanair is pulling its aircraft from Brussels airport until at least March 2023, blaming the Belgium Government for introducing an air tax.

The airline also said the airport in Zaventem was too expensive.

The decision to close the air base will lead to Ryanair axing around a third of its flights from Brussels airport this winter.

It also flies to and from nearby Charleroi airport, which is unaffected.

Ryanair’s decision to close its Zaventem base for the winter follows its decision to pull aircraft out of Athens and Rhodes, also for the winter season.

Several hundred flights will be cancelled from October as a result.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said charges at Brussels’ Zaventem airport are 300% to 400% higher than at Charleroi.

Last April, the Belgian Government introduced a flight tax of €2 to €10 per passenger, depending on the distance flown.

Rynair says it won’t reopen its Zaventem base until the airport reduces its rates and the air tax is removed, according to Belgian newspaper De Standaard.