ECOWAS Approves Major Aviation Reforms, Cuts Air Travel Taxes and Charges by 25% from 2026
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved sweeping reforms aimed at lowering the high cost of air travel within Nigeria and across the West African region.
In a statement issued yesterday, the ECOWAS Commission announced that Heads of State and Government, at their December 2024 Summit in Abuja, adopted a landmark measure that removes all taxes applied to air transport and slashes passenger and security charges by 25 per cent, effective January 1, 2026.
According to the Commission, the decision follows years of stagnation in West Africa’s aviation sector, driven by excessive taxes, charges and fees that stifle travel demand and discourage investment in airport infrastructure.
Studies by ECOWAS, the African Union, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that West Africa remains one of the most expensive regions for air travel, with passengers paying up to 66 separate charges, while airlines face more than 100 different fees.
The Commission warned that the high cost of flying has hindered mobility, slowed tourism growth, constrained trade, and undermined the regional body’s free movement agenda.
It said the adoption of the Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees is designed to address these structural challenges and bring the region in line with international aviation standards.
The reforms are expected to deliver significant benefits, including lower ticket prices, increased passenger volumes, stronger airlines, improved airport operations and expanded economic opportunities for communities across the region.
ECOWAS noted that member states are required to amend national laws and policies to ensure full implementation of the new measures, while airlines are expected to reflect the reduced charges in ticket prices.
To ensure compliance, the Commission will activate a Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism and support complementary initiatives such as joint maintenance centres and harmonised safety standards.
“The Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS… adopted a landmark measure aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across the region,” the statement read.
“From 1 January 2026, all ECOWAS Member States will remove taxes applied to air transport and reduce passenger and security charges by 25 percent. This decision comes against the backdrop of years of stunted growth… largely due to excessive taxes, charges and fees which suppress travel demand.”
ECOWAS added that the reforms align with the principles of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Chicago Convention and will boost the competitiveness of West African airlines while stimulating investment in aviation infrastructure.
The Commission further stated that ticket prices could fall by up to 40 per cent, making air travel more accessible, boosting airline traffic, and expanding tourism and business opportunities across the region.
“Governments are expected, in the long term, to generate increased revenue from a stronger and more dynamic air transport sector,” it added.
