ECOWAS To Slash Air Travel Charges By 25% By 2026
Travelling across West Africa may soon become far more affordable, as ECOWAS has announced plans to reduce passenger service and security charges on regional flights by 25% by January 2026.
This major policy shift aims to tackle the high cost of air travel within the sub-region, where passengers currently face up to 66 different charges while airlines contend with more than 100.
Aviation experts say the proposed cut could trigger a 40% surge in air travel demand, boosting connectivity and economic growth.
According to Director of Transport at the ECOWAS Commission, Chris Appiah, many of the current levies violate international standards saying you don’t tax air transport to promote tourism as it defeats the purpose.
The new strategy recommends removing all non-ICAO-compliant taxes and improving operational efficiency at airports, with the ultimate goal of passing savings on to travellers.
If implemented, the changes could generate over $500 million in annual revenue through increased passenger traffic.
While ECOWAS will oversee coordination, member states must push the reforms through national legislative and fiscal frameworks. An oversight committee is expected to be in place by mid-2025, ahead of the 2026 launch date.
The proposed reforms first discussed at a 2014 ECOWAS summit could finally help unlock the potential of West African skies, positioning the region for better trade, tourism, and integration.
