Tax arrangements of Brussels airport

17.10.2016

Question for written answer P-007783-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Hugues Bayet (S&D)

On 14 October 2016 it was revealed that Brussels national airport had concocted artificial tax arrangements to avoid paying tax in Belgium. Almost EUR 144 million has thus been sent to Luxembourg.

This distortion of competition is threatening jobs in Belgium, mainly to the detriment of Charleroi airport, which pays taxes in Wallonia.

What makes this all the more damaging is that Charleroi airport is under continual attack from the management of Brussels airport, which regularly brings cases before the European courts to contest the development support it has received from the Wallonian authorities.

This is a further example of competition between European tax jurisdictions.

It is also a clear case of distortion of fair competition. Will the Commission launch an investigation to ascertain the legality of Brussels airport’s tax arrangements?