Janet Samuel
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a major policy shift to reduce passenger service and security charges on air travel within the region by 25%, effective January 1, 2026.
The move is aimed at addressing the high cost of airfares and boosting regional connectivity.
Currently, passengers in the ECOWAS region face up to 66 different charges, while airlines contend with 112 levies—making the region’s airfares among the highest globally.
The new directive, developed by a committee of aviation experts, calls for eliminating non-compliant taxes and aligning airport charges with international standards.
Speaking with Newsmen in Lomé during the ECOWAS Parliament delocalised meeting of the joint committee on Infrastructure/ Eneergy and Mines/ Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, the Transport Director, Chris Appiah, said the high cost of air travel has long undermined integration and mobility across West Africa, noting that the new policy could increase regional air traffic by up to 40% and generate more than 500 million dollars in additional revenue.
The plan, which includes consultations with airport and civil aviation authorities, also urges airlines to reflect the savings in ticket prices, Airports are encouraged to adopt business-friendly practices and boost non-aeronautical revenues to offset the impact of reduced charges.
An oversight committee is expected to be established by June 2025 to monitor implementation. The final proposal is awaiting formal endorsement by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in the coming months.
Appiah highlighted that successful African aviation hubs, such as those in North and East Africa, operate under tax-free regimes, unlike ECOWAS airports, stressing the importance of airline partnerships, such as code-sharing, to make regional routes more cost-effective.
The ECOWAS Commission believes the new strategy will unlock the economic potential of the region’s air transport sector, improve tourism, and enhance intra-African trade by making air travel more affordable and accessible.
