Will Ghana's New $9 APIS Fee Push West Africa Airfares Above $300?

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will introduce a new $9 Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) fee on all arriving and departing international flight tickets starting February 1, 2026. This move is set to significantly increase the cost of air travel across West Africa, a region already known for its high statutory charges.

Key Details of the New Levy

The new APIS levy is a mandatory charge of $9 per passenger for both arrival and departure. This means a standard return ticket will now carry an additional $18 in government fees. The fee is being implemented to support the country's new Advance Passenger Information System.

This development closely follows a similar action by Nigeria's government. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recently began collecting a new $11.5 APIS levy from international passengers on December 1, 2025. This Nigerian charge totals $23 for a return journey.

• Ghana's APIS Fee: $9 per passenger (arrival and departure).
• Effective Date: February 1, 2026.
• Combined Nigeria-Ghana APIS Burden: $41 on a return ticket.

Impact on Regional Airfares

Aviation stakeholders warn that these new levies will push ticket prices higher on key regional routes. The Lagos-Accra corridor, one of West Africa’s busiest short-haul routes, will see the immediate impact.

The new APIS fees are added to existing charges. Nigeria already has a separate $20 security levy, introduced by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in 2010. Ghana also collects Passenger Service Charges (PSC) and other regulatory surcharges.

George Uriesi, CEO of Ibom Air, noted the financial pressure on carriers. He stated that the mandatory non-airline charges on a Nigeria-Ghana return ticket previously stood at $198. With Ghana's new APIS fee, this baseline cost will rise to $216. This increase occurs before airlines even factor in operational costs like fuel, crew, maintenance, and ground services.

Stakeholders suggest that once all variables are included, realistic economy-class return fares on this corridor could easily rise above the $300 bracket. This makes regional connectivity increasingly difficult to promote.

West Africa's High Cost Challenge

The aviation industry has long criticized West Africa for being one of the world's most expensive regions for air travel. This is primarily due to excessive taxation and statutory charges.

Data from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) confirms this challenge. AFRAA's 2024 data shows that for international departures, West Africa averages about $109.5 in taxes and fees per passenger. This figure is significantly higher than the continental average.

• West Africa: $109.5 per passenger.
• Central Africa: $106.6 per passenger.
• Eastern Africa: $63.3 per passenger.
• Northern Africa: $25.3 per passenger.

The data highlights a major disparity in regional air travel costs. Countries like Nigeria and Gabon are ranked among the most expensive for international taxes and levies. The new Ghanaian levy adds to this burden, creating a significant obstacle for airlines and passengers seeking affordable regional flights and impacting the growth of commercial aviation news in the region.

The industry body IATA consistently advocates for lower government charges globally. High fees ultimately restrict passenger volume and hinder the potential for economic growth driven by air transport. The new $9 APIS fee in Ghana is a further challenge to the goal of promoting accessible and affordable air travel across the sub-region.