ECOWAS to Scrap Air Ticket Taxes From January 2026 to Cut Airfares

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved a landmark decision to abolish all air ticket taxes across member states beginning January 1, 2026, in a major push to reduce the high cost of regional air travel and strengthen economic integration.

The decision, endorsed by ECOWAS transport and aviation ministers, forms part of a comprehensive aviation-cost reform strategy aimed at lowering fares, boosting tourism, expanding trade, and improving the competitiveness of West African airlines. Under the new policy, member states will remove all existing ticket-related taxes—including foreign travel taxes, tourism levies, and solidarity charges—while airport passenger service charges and security fees will be cut by 25%. Governments are expected to harmonize their national aviation tax laws with the newly adopted ECOWAS Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees. To ensure uniform application across the region, the ECOWAS Commission will establish a Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism, which will supervise implementation and ensure that airlines and airport authorities pass on the cost reductions directly to passengers. For years, West Africa has ranked among the world’s most expensive air travel regions, with taxes and levies often accounting for more than a third of total ticket prices. Aviation experts say the new reforms could help reverse this trend by making flying significantly more affordable, stimulating passenger growth, and enhancing regional connectivity. Budget carriers, travel operators, and business groups have welcomed the development, describing it as a long-overdue step that could unlock billions in economic activity and position the region more competitively under the continent-wide Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). However, analysts warn that the success of the policy will depend on how quickly individual governments amend their tax laws and whether airlines genuinely reflect the reduced charges in ticket pricing. Airports will also need to adjust their fee structures to meet the mandatory 25% reduction. If fully implemented, the move—set to take effect in January 2026—will mark one of the most significant aviation reforms in ECOWAS history, potentially ushering in a new era of cheaper air travel and deeper regional integration.