The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has set January 2026 as the target date for implementing a 25% reduction in passenger service and security charges on air travel within the sub-region.
The move is part of efforts to tackle the region’s notoriously high airfares, reportedly among the highest in the world. According to a recent study, passengers in the ECOWAS region are burdened with 66 different charges, while airlines face 112 distinct levies. These excessive costs significantly inflate airfares, hindering regional connectivity and economic integration.
A committee of aviation experts has recommended that member states adopt a new regional strategy, which includes the elimination of all taxes on air travel in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. It also proposes a 25% reduction in airport passenger service and security charges, effective from January 1, 2026, following consultations with airport and civil aviation authorities.
The committee emphasized that savings from these measures must be reflected in ticket pricing structures, urging airlines to pass on the benefits to consumers. Airports, meanwhile, are encouraged to adopt business-friendly practices to improve efficiency, cut costs, and grow non-aeronautical revenue streams.
An oversight committee is expected to be established by June 2025 to monitor implementation, while the full proposal awaits formal endorsement by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in the coming months.
According to the report submitted for review by the consultant, the regional organs must ensure that airports embrace business practices that will enable them to cover the 25% reduction.
Chris Appiah, Director for Transport at the ECOWAS Commission, while speaking with newsmen, highlighted the transformative potential of the policy. He noted that canceling certain taxes and reducing charges by 25% could stimulate air travel demand in the sub-region by up to 40%.
“We’ve conducted comprehensive studies and found that ECOWAS airports charge significantly more than their counterparts elsewhere in Africa—up to 103% more in passenger service charges and 53% more in security charges,” Appiah said.
He explained that the policy aims to remove taxes that are non-compliant with ICAO standards, such as security and tourism levies, and ensure transparent pricing structures. “You don’t tax air transport to promote tourism—it defeats the purpose,” he added.
The origins of the policy date back to a 2014 summit of ECOWAS Heads of State in Abuja, where leaders recognized the economic implications of exorbitant airfares and tasked the Commission with developing a solution. Working with global and regional partners, including IATA, AFRAA, AFCAC, and the African Union. ECOWAS crafted a harmonized strategy to align with international best practices.
Appiah revealed that simulations show air traffic in the region could surge by over 40% within a year of implementing the proposed changes, potentially generating over $500 million in additional revenue. “Reducing charges will not reduce revenue; rather, it will increase it by stimulating demand,” he said.
He pointed out that the top-performing airports and airlines in Africa—mostly from North, East, and Southern Africa—operate under zero-tax regimes on air transport services. In contrast, ECOWAS airports lag behind, with only Lagos and Accra featuring in the top 10 busiest intra-African routes.
Implementation, however, rests with individual member states. “ECOWAS will lead coordination, but each government must engage its finance ministries and parliaments to remove the identified taxes and reduce charges,” Appiah emphasized.
The strategy also includes a push for better collaboration among airlines through code-sharing and joint ventures. This would allow passengers to travel across the region using multiple carriers under a single ticket, reducing operational costs and boosting efficiency.
“For instance, Air Peace could partner with ASKY or Air Côte d’Ivoire to serve regional routes more cost-effectively,” said Appiah. “This is standard practice in global aviation and can help reduce fares significantly.”
He further stressed the importance of private sector leadership in the air transport industry. “Government-run airlines often suffer from inefficiency and bureaucracy. The best results come when the public sector creates an enabling environment, and the private sector handles operations.”
Citing successful models like Ethiopian Airlines, Appiah said even state-owned carriers must operate independently of government bureaucracy to thrive. “What we need is a performance-driven approach, whether through national, regional, or continental airlines,” he concluded.
With all member states signed onto the ICAO conventions, ECOWAS believes the time is ripe to align regional air transport policies with global best practices, unlocking the full potential of West African skies for business, tourism, and integration.