The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the implementation of key measures unanimously adopted by its member states to reduce air transport charges and taxes, aimed at enhancing movement, trade, and regional integration.
These reforms were adopted in December 2024 during the Sixty-Sixth Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of States and Government in Abuja. Starting 1 January 2026, member states will abolish certain air transport taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25%.
The measures respond to longstanding challenges facing the regional aviation sector, including high levies on intra-ECOWAS flights. These charges not only burden passengers but also undermine the competitiveness of regional carriers against foreign airlines, threatening their survival and hampering efforts to liberalize air travel to boost trade, business, and tourism within the subregion.
ECOWAS highlighted key issues such as the continuous rise in the number and amount of air transport fees, making the region collectively one of the highest in Africa and globally in terms of passenger charges.
Many member states have yet to fully implement the four ICAO principles; non-discrimination, cost-relatedness, transparency, and consultation with users, which are critical for ensuring compliance by Airport Operators, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), and Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs).
The bloc also noted a lack of effective economic oversight of airport operators, ANSPs, and CAAs, which has contributed to elevated airfares. Passengers on intra-regional flights currently bear the highest charges in the world at both ends of their journeys, while international flights are further burdened, significantly increasing the cost of intercontinental travel.
The reforms align with Articles 7, 8, and 9 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, the Yamoussoukro Declaration on the Liberalization of Access to Air Transport Markets in Africa, nine Air Transport Supplementary Acts adopted on 17 February 2012, and other air service agreements ratified by member states.
ECOWAS said the measures aim to revitalize the regional aviation sector, unlock the economic potential of air transport, improve connectivity for people and businesses within the region and globally, enhance the competitiveness of ECOWAS airlines, and ultimately reduce airfares for passengers.
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