The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to abolish air transport taxes starting 1 January 2026, aiming to make air travel across the region more affordable. In addition, ECOWAS said aviation charges related to passenger services and security will be reduced by 25% from the same date. The decision follows a summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Abuja in December 2024.
The regional bloc noted that high air travel costs have long hindered tourism, trade, and the free movement of people and goods. ECOWAS expects the reforms to lower airfares, boost passenger traffic, strengthen regional airlines, and promote deeper economic integration. Implementation of the measures will be monitored through a dedicated ECOWAS oversight mechanism to ensure compliance across member states.
