In a landmark move to boost regional connectivity, West African leaders have agreed to slash air travel taxes and fees, making flights within the region significantly more affordable starting 1 January 2026.
The decision, reached at the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit in Abuja, will see the elimination of several air transport taxes and a 25 percent reduction in passenger and security charges across all 15 member states.
Officials say the reforms will lower ticket prices, stimulate tourism and business travel, and strengthen local airlines, marking a major step toward deeper economic integration in West Africa.
The new policy requires all 15 ECOWAS member states to eliminate designated air transport taxes entirely and reduce remaining passenger service and security charges by a quarter.
The move is expected to lower ticket prices, stimulate tourism and business travel, strengthen local airlines and support trade, and advance the free movement of people and goods – a core objective of the ECOWAS Treaty.
To ensure compliance, the ECOWAS Commission will oversee implementation through a newly established Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism.
Regional aviation stakeholders have welcomed the decision, describing it as a game-changer for West Africa’s Africa’s chronically under-served air transport market.
