ECOWAS don agree say dem go do one big reform wey dem talk say go reduce cost of air travel for West Africa.

For one statement wey dem release on Wednesday, ECOWAS talk say for the December 2024 meeting wey hold for Abuja, leaders and governments of the region agree to remove some taxes wey dey affect air transport.

Dem also decide say dem go reduce passenger and security charges by 25%, and the change go start from 1st January 2026.

ECOWAS talk say this step follow plenty years wey aviation for West Africa no dey develop well, mainly because taxes and many different charges don make things costly.

Dem add say the high charges don reduce people wey travel and don discourage investment for airport infrastructure.

Research wey ECOWAS do with African Union, AFRAA and IATA show say West Africa dey among the most expensive regions to fly to.

Sometimes passengers dey pay up to 66 different charges, while airlines dey face up to 100 different charges.

ECOWAS warn say high air transport costs dey reduce passenger movements, slow down tourism, disturb trade routes and limit freedom of movement and regional integration.

How dem wan take tackle the challenge

According to the statement, dem approve temporary law wey go control charges, taxes and other fees wey concern air transport to handle the structural problems and make regional rules match international aviation standards.

The group expect say the move go reduce ticket prices, increase passenger numbers, strengthen regional airlines, boost airport operations and create more economic opportunities for host communities.

Member states don told to change their laws and regulations so that the policy go apply the same way everywhere, and dem dey expect airlines to pass the savings direct to passengers.

ECOWAS add say dem go monitor how the law dey followed through new regional economic oversight for aviation and through programmes wey go support joint air navigation centres and harmonise safety rules.

The group say the reforms fit reduce ticket prices by up to 40%, deepen regional integration and make air travel affordable for families, small towns and communities across West Africa.