ECOWAS Heads Of States
By Buba Gagigo
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a significant step toward reducing air transport costs and enhancing regional integration by adopting a Supplementary Act on a Common Policy for Aviation Charges, Taxes, and Fees. The decision was made during the Sixty-Sixth Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Nigeria.
Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the importance of this initiative in addressing the economic challenges caused by high air transport costs in the region.
“Considering the severe negative impact of the high cost of air transport on the growth of the region’s air transport industry and on the wider economic and regional integration Agenda of ECOWAS, the Authority adopts the Supplementary Act relating to the regional Common Policy on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees, which aims to reduce the cost of air transport services in the ECOWAS region,” Touray stated.
The new regional strategy includes key measures such as a 25% reduction in passenger and security charges and the elimination of taxes applied to air transport services. These changes align with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) principles, which emphasize transparency and prohibit unrelated taxes on air transport.
In addition to cost reductions, ECOWAS also approved a Regulation to establish a unified framework for Aviation Security. The Authority further amended Article 4 of the Supplementary Act to increase compensation for passengers affected by denied boarding, flight delays, and cancellations.
“To ensure a holistic improvement of the region’s air transport industry, the Authority also approves the Regulation establishing a common framework for Aviation Security and the increased rate of compensation for passengers who are denied boarding of flights through an amendment of Article 4 of the Supplementary Act on delayed boarding, flight cancellations and denied boarding,” he said.
To ensure the effective implementation of these measures, the Authority instructed Ministers responsible for Air Transport and the ECOWAS Commission to oversee uniform enforcement across all Member States. Airlines are also required to comply with cost reduction policies, ensuring ticket prices reflect the approved cuts, ultimately benefiting all citizens and travelers within the region.