The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved sweeping reforms that will make air travel within the region significantly cheaper, abolishing multiple aviation taxes and reducing passenger and security charges by 25 per cent effective 1 January 2026.
The decision was adopted at the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit in Abuja in December 2024, where regional leaders signed a Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees. The reforms are aimed at addressing long-standing concerns about the high cost of intra-West African flights.
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For years, West Africa has recorded some of the world’s highest airfares relative to travel distance, driven by a complex mix of fuel surcharges, airport fees, security levies and country-specific taxes.
Under the new Supplementary Act, all 15 ECOWAS member states are required to eliminate designated air transport taxes entirely and reduce remaining passenger and security charges by a quarter.
The measure is expected to lower ticket prices across the region, stimulate tourism and business travel, strengthen local carriers, improve trade flows and support the free movement of people and goods — a core objective of the ECOWAS Treaty.
To ensure uniform implementation, the ECOWAS Commission will supervise the rollout through a new Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism, which will monitor compliance and evaluate the impact of the reforms.
Aviation industry stakeholders have welcomed the decision, describing it as a potential “game-changer” for the region’s chronically under-served air transport market.
The reforms will come into force on 1 January 2026, giving airlines, aviation regulators and national authorities a year to adjust policies, systems and fee structures.
