The size of the problems African Airlines faces to address the high taxes and claims imposed by the government and airports is documented in the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) report.
The continent has long been known for its high ticket prices, and observers often see an important part of the matter as additional costs imposed by the government, and in many cases, air travelers are wealthy by definition and therefore can bear the costs.
To convince the long-standing efforts by organizations such as the AFRAA and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that it will increase over the long term by reducing the costs imposed on passengers, revenue from taxes and claims have disappeared to the country's Treasury Department.
Kamil al-Awadi, vice president of Africa and the Middle East, has spoken about his past complaints of reversing the infiltrated attitudes in individual countries and spending considerable time reaching an agreement to reduce the fees that government changes occur and that the process must be started again.
Similarly, AFRAA will engage government stakeholders and “cave attention to the negative effects of high taxes and claims and the negative impacts on travel, tourism, job creation and the economy as a whole,” the group said.
The AFRAA Tax and Fee Research Review 2024 provides a detailed look at the levels of taxes, fees and fees collected on airline tickets and paid by passengers in each African country.
In 2024, the report stated: “As the aviation market recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries have reintroduced and raised taxes to offset the fiscal deficit. Furthermore, environmental taxes have become well-known as part of a broader global effort to address broader global efforts.”
The report says high taxes, inconsistent policies and reliance on aviation revenues could curb the development of a competitive, sustainable aviation sector.
“It is important for African governments to consider harmonizing tax structures, reducing excessive claims and pursuing alternative ways of financing aviation infrastructure to promote greater air connections, economic growth and regional integration,” the association said. “Regional cooperation is key to addressing these issues and ensuring the continued development of Africa's aviation industry.”
The figures listed in the report were collected in September 2024.
West Africa is the most expensive region, with an average tax, bill and fee paid per passenger for international departures at an average of $110, compared to $97 in 2022. Central Africa averages $107, an increase of $10 compared to 2022.
East and South Africa are more expensive than their neighboring non-African regions, charging $63 and $35 per passenger, respectively.
North Africa is where passengers pay the lowest tax amount, with an average of $25 per passenger.
According to the AFRAA, Gabon leads African countries with total international departure tax at $298, followed by Sierra Leone at $294. Nigeria ($180), Djibouti ($169) and Niger ($131) round out the top five. The cheapest countries on the continent are Libya ($1 per passenger), Malawi ($5), Lesotho ($6), Algeria ($10) and Eswatini ($14).
For regional flights within Africa, AFRAA notes that the average tax, fees and fees paid by passengers in Africa is $68, $34 in the Middle East and $32 in Europe. Nine of the 10 most expensive African countries on regional flights are located in West Africa.
