Aviation Experts Brainstorm On Reducing Travel Costs In ECOWAS Region
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Experts from member states of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, are in a pivotal gathering that could reshape the aviation landscape of West Africa.
The three-day summit convened in Lomé, Togo is aimed at tackling two of the region’s most critical aviation issues: high transport costs and the need for unified aviation security standards.
The meeting brought together a diverse group of specialists, including aviation security experts, civil aviation authorities, and representatives from regional airlines and their mission is to create a roadmap for a more affordable and secure air transport system in West Africa.
This high-stakes summit follows a directive from the recent ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit in July 2024 where leaders across the region had voiced concerns about the rising costs that hinder air travel for many West Africans and highlighted security as a top priority.
It is in response that the assembled experts are diving into discussions on how to streamline taxes, reduce fees, and adopt a harmonised regulatory framework that could make regional travel more accessible and safer.
The forum includes presentations from leading global aviation bodies, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).
These organisations are providing insights and policy guidance to help shape solutions for a competitive, safe, and accessible air transport sector in West Africa.
As the sessions progress, the experts are expected to draft policy recommendations that will lay the foundation for transformative reforms.
These suggestions will be presented at a broader ministerial session later in the week, with the goal of crafting a unified regional policy on aviation that can be adopted by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
If successful, the initiatives born from this gathering could lead to a new era of affordable air travel, expanded access, and enhanced security for millions of people across West Africa.
A statement by the Information department of the ECOWAS Commission, says with their collaborative efforts, the experts would achieve a milestone that will make air travel a viable option for more people and strengthen economic ties across the region through accessible and secure aviation networks.
