ECOWAS to abolish air travel taxes and cut fees by 25% starting January 2026
Key Points
- 1ECOWAS will abolish all air transport taxes across its member states starting January 1, 2026.
- 2Passenger and security charges will be reduced by 25% from January 1, 2026, across the ECOWAS region.
- 3The reforms aim to significantly lower air travel costs, boosting regional tourism, trade, and integration.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a significant reform to regional air travel, abolishing air transport taxes across its member states and implementing a 25 percent reduction in passenger and security charges. This landmark decision, effective January 1, 2026, aims to substantially lower the cost of flying within the West African subregion, addressing long-standing concerns from travelers and industry stakeholders.
This policy stems from a decision made by ECOWAS heads of state and government during their December 2024 Summit in Abuja, Nigeria. The changes will be enacted through a Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees. The regional bloc stated that the move directly responds to persistent complaints regarding the prohibitively high cost of air travel in West Africa, which has often made short-haul regional flights more expensive than intercontinental journeys in some instances.
ECOWAS anticipates that these reforms will boost intra-regional travel, stimulate economic activities, and foster deeper cooperation among its member countries. By making air transport more accessible and affordable, the initiative seeks to enhance the free movement of persons and goods, thereby strengthening regional integration. The ECOWAS Commission will closely monitor the implementation of these changes through a Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism to ensure compliance and that the benefits are effectively passed on to passengers, leading to lower airfares and increased passenger traffic.
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