ECOWAS Adopts Landmark Measures to Cut Air Transport Taxes and Charges, Lowering the Cost of Air Travel Across West Africa. By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive move that could redefine the future of regional mobility, the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have approved an unprecedented overhaul of air transport charges, poised to make flying significantly cheaper across the sub-region. The groundbreaking measure—adopted at the December 2024 Summit in Abuja—will take effect on 1 January 2026, eliminating all air transport taxes and cutting passenger and security charges by 25 percent in every Member State.
Accordingly ECOWAS leaders endorsed the Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees to reverse years of prohibitive costs that have weakened the region’s aviation competitiveness. The reform aims squarely at dismantling the long-standing cycle of high taxes, suppressed travel demand and stagnated revenue generation that has left West Africa trailing behind other regions in air connectivity and passenger volume.
For decades, travellers have borne the burden of an expensive and fragmented aviation market. Multiple studies by ECOWAS, the African Union, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that flying within West Africa is among the most costly global travel experiences—with passengers facing up to 66 different charges and airlines contending with more than 100 operational fees. Regional airfares currently stand at 85 percent above global averages, while international routes from West Africa are 82 percent higher.
The consequences have been far-reaching: reduced tourism, weakened trade flows, stifled business travel and continued frustration of ECOWAS’s flagship policy on free movement. While Northern Africa controls 40 percent of Africa’s total air traffic, West Africa—home to 400 million people—barely claims half that share. Notably, only one route, Accra–Lagos, ranks among the continent’s top ten busiest intra-African connections.
By confronting these structural bottlenecks head-on, the new ECOWAS aviation policy aligns with the global principles of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Chicago Convention, emphasising fairness, transparency and non-discriminatory practices. It is also expected to strengthen West African airlines, boost airport capacity and attract fresh investment into aviation infrastructure.
Experts project that airfares could fall by up to 40 percent, expanding access to air travel for millions of West Africans. Airlines are expected to record increased passenger loads, while airports, local businesses and tourism hubs will benefit from higher traffic and economic activity. Governments, in turn, stand to gain long-term revenue growth from a more dynamic aviation market.
But delivering on the promise of cheaper flights will require coordinated implementation. Though Supplementary Acts of the Authority of Heads of State are automatically binding, Member States must revise national laws, policies and operational documents to ensure consistency. Airlines, meanwhile, are expected to transmit cost reductions directly to passengers through lower ticket prices.
To guarantee compliance, the ECOWAS Commission will deploy a Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism, while advancing complementary initiatives such as regional aircraft leasing, joint maintenance facilities and harmonised safety standards.
Beyond economic gains, the reform is projected to deepen regional integration—helping families to stay connected, enabling entrepreneurs to reach new markets and strengthening the social and commercial bonds that hold West Africa together.
If fully implemented by 2026, the region’s skies are expected to open in a way never seen before: more competitive, more accessible and more vibrant—ushering in a new era for air travel in West Africa.
