ECOWAS Aviation Ministers set to address high cost of air transport in the region

ECOWAS is gearing up to host a key series of meetings from November 5-8, 2024, in Lomé, Togo, bringing together aviation ministers, DGs of Civil Aviation, officials, and industry stakeholders to chart a new course for air travel across West Africa.

These sessions, which is a response to a directive of the 65th Heads of State Summit held in July 2024, aim to address persistent challenges in the aviation sector, focusing on lowering operational costs and unifying safety protocols to improve regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

The meetings will begin with expert-level consultations from November 5-7, setting the foun-dation for a high-level ministerial session on November 8.

Discussions will center on regional modalities to guide the steady reduction of aviation fees and taxes, alongside harmonized safety measures. These reforms aim to enhance the accessibility and affordability of air travel, aligning with ECOWAS’ broader agenda to deepen regional integration through increased con-nectivity, mobility and trade.

A statement issued by ECOWAS dated November 2, 2024, said ECOWAS assessments show that charges levied in the region by Airport Operators, Air Navigation Service Providers and Civil Aviation Authorities and the taxes imposed by governments have severe negative impacts on the region’s air transport industry and on the wider economic and employment development in the States of the ECOWAS Region.

They also have a high adverse impact on the competitiveness of airlines in the region struggling to survive and face fierce competition from foreign carriers.

Thus, West Africa’s aviation sector, currently among the most expensive on the continent, stands to benefit significantly from these reforms.

Reducing air travel costs is expected to un-lock new opportunities in tourism, education, health, commerce, and other key economic sectors while fostering the free movement of people, in line with the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) frameworks.

With expectations running high, the outcomes of the Lomé meeting will be crucial for the De-cember 2024 ECOWAS Council of Ministers Session and Heads of State and Governments Summit, where final cost reduction strategies are expected to be adopted.

Stakeholders and Member States are encouraged to engage actively, ensuring the region moves swiftly toward a more competitive and sustainable aviation sector.