The Minister of Transport, a member of the ECOWAS member, has promised to reduce air travel tax throughout West Africa, aiming to make regional tickets more affordable. At a meeting held in Rome in November 2024, ministers promised to implement reforms by January 2026, focusing on reducing passenger fees and security -related fees by 25 % and abolition of non -match tax. This movement is expected to increase the amount of passenger transportation, strengthen regional integration, and stimulate economic development. At present, there is a large disparity in air ticket taxation between airports in West Africa, and the maximum fee of up to 92,560 CFA franc (141 euros) is charged in Ecowas flights in ECOWAS. Abijan is at the top of the lowest tax from 30,000 CFA Fran. 。
Although tax reduction indicates advancement, the price of air tickets continues to rise in the region due to a wide range of issues such as rising fuel costs, high operating costs, and limited competition. For many years, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been criticizing tax -added taxes and sightseeing taxes that are not related to aviation as a barrier to travel. The airline also claims that infrastructure costs, which are often passed on to passengers, should be absorbed by the national development budget. ECOWAS reforms have established the basics of air travel that is more accessible, while experts emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies to address structural factors that form air fare prices. Travel experts must always be aware of these reforms in preparation for local connectionability and potential increase in passenger demand.
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Source: Travelnews.africa
