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By Chinelo Obogo
Nigerian airline operators are pressing the federal government to domesticate the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS’) decision on 25% reduction in aviation charges, saying the move remains crucial to reversing the high fares plaguing domestic travel.
They spoke through their body, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), commending the charge slash which they described as a validation of their consistent advocacy against multiple charges and high taxes.
Responding to the ECOWAS announcement, the spokesperson of the AON, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, told Daily Sun yesterday, that the regional body’s action strengthens their long-held position that excessive taxes and fees are major contributors to high airfares across Nigeria and the African continent. The operators said that until similar tax reductions are implemented on the Nigerian side, passengers should not expect significantly lower ticket prices.
“This reaction is required locally here in Nigeria. It validates the fact that taxes and fees are contributing to the high cost of airfare, so it will strengthen our position which we have been echoing. Since it is a contributing factor, until all those taxes are removed from the Nigerian side, we should not expect lower costs. Airlines have certain operational costs which they cannot simply cut from prices. These are fixed costs that are already there, and this is a low-margin business,” Okonkwo said.
AON added that due to Nigeria’s operational challenges, domestic carriers face pressures from high costs, which compound the burden of high taxes and charges. He pointed to recent issues, including the Aviation Oversight Tax (AOT), as examples of additional financial strain on an already struggling industry. Nigerian airlines have consistently argued that reducing these levies would make air travel more accessible while still allowing carriers to maintain sustainable operations in what remains one of the world’s most challenging aviation markets.
ECOWAS had on Wednesday this week said that it has adopted measures to reduce air transport taxes and charges and lower the cost of air travel in West Africa, from January 1, 2026.
The body said that at their December 2024 meeting held in Abuja, Heads of State and Government adopted a measure to reduce the cost of air travel across the region, and that from January 1, 2026, all ECOWAS member states will abolish air transport taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25 percent, in line with a Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees.
The decision, it said, responds to long-standing concerns about the high cost of flying in West Africa, which has constrained tourism, trade, and the free movement of persons and goods. Implementation of the reform will be monitored by the ECOWAS Commission through a Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism, with the expected outcome of lower airfares, increased passenger traffic, stronger regional airlines, and deeper regional integration.
“The Authority raises concern about the high cost of air travel in the ECOWAS Region, which is seen as one of the highest on the continent, and its attendant impact on the development of tourism, trade, and the free movement of persons and services. The Authority directs Air Transport Ministers and Civil Aviation Authorities of Member States to work with the ECOWAS Commission to implement the ECOWAS Common Policy on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees, with the aim of using air transport to expedite economic development and deepen the regional integration process,” ECOWAS said.
The body said it is determined to create a conducive environment for the development of air transport through the elimination of obstacles to the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision, especially the elimination of protectionism in the granting of air traffic rights, non-limitation to the granting of 5th Freedom traffic rights, non-limitation to access points, as well as approval for the multi-designation of airlines.
It said it is determined also to have competitive and profitable airlines in the ECOWAS space, capable of establishing regular flights between the capitals of member states and providing air transport passengers quality service at affordable prices under safe and secure conditions.
