ECOWAS to scrap regional air taxes, paving way for cheaper flights from 2026
The Economic Community of West African States has adopted a new policy to scrap air transport taxes among member states and lower miscellaneous aviation charges, a move expected to drastically reduce regional flight costs next year.
Effective January 2026, air travel costs within West African nations such as Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo will be significantly reduced.
“From 1 January 2026, all ECOWAS member states will abolish air transport taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25 per cent, in line with a Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes, and Fees,” ECOWAS said in a statement.
The bloc on Wednesday announced that the policy was adopted in December 2024 but finalised the modalities for its implementation for January 2026, with the hope of attracting more tourists and easing trade between member states.
“Implementation of the reform will be monitored by the ECOWAS Commission through a Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism, with the expected outcome of lower airfares, increased passenger traffic, stronger regional airlines, and deeper regional integration,” said the statement.
A one-way ticket from Abuja, Nigeria, to Accra costs about N550,000, checks by Peoples Gazette on Africa World Airlines on Wednesday showed. It is unclear how much ECOWAS policy will tamp down prices.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
14 kidnap victims rescued in Katsina
Troops rescued six males and eight females abducted in Katsina State.
States
Police arrest suspected transformer vandal in Enugu
Police said the suspect was found unconscious with various degrees of injuries.
World
U.S. govt indicts 17 Iranians over cyber theft
Prosecutors said the suspects allegedly stole more than 31 terabytes of data from institutions across the U.S.
States
Gov Alia nominates six new commissioners, seeks Benue assembly’s approval
The governor said the nominations were intended to strengthen the state executive council by filling existing vacancies and replacing outgoing members.
Heading 1
Nigeria should remain designated ‘country of particular concern’, Tinubu allowing slaughtering of Christians: U.S. Lawmaker
“Do not remove the CPC designation for Nigeria. They have not done near enough to protect Christians! They continue to get slaughtered,” Mr Moore said.
NationWide
Tinubu pledges peaceful campaign ahead of 2027 elections
“Let us remember that elections are not a do-or-die affair. We are partners in the project of nation-building,” he said.
