The Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, Hassan Tampuli, has criticised the newly introduced Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC).

He is arguing that the timing places undue strain on travellers.

The levy, which took effect on April 1, 2026, forms part of government efforts to raise funds for the expansion and modernisation of airport infrastructure.

However, its implementation has already led to an increase in domestic airfares, as airlines adjust ticket prices to reflect the additional cost.

Domestic carriers, including PassionAir and Africa World Airlines, have confirmed that the GHS100 one-way charge will be transferred directly to passengers.

This has triggered concerns over affordability, particularly for frequent travellers on local routes.

The AIDC, introduced through the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with Ghana Airports Company Limited, is intended to provide a dedicated revenue stream to support critical upgrades within the aviation sector.

Mr Tampuli questioned the rationale behind introducing a new levy when passengers are already paying existing charges embedded in ticket prices.

He pointed to the long-standing Airport Passenger Service Charge (APSC), which has been part of airfare structures for years, insisting that policymakers should have exercised greater caution.

“Introducing this AIDC now smacks of a very insensitive government that is not reflective of what is happening on the global market,” he said, adding that even previous attempts to adjust the APSC were approached carefully due to concerns about the financial burden on travellers.

He further noted that earlier discussions to increase the APSC—from minimal amounts to higher thresholds—faced resistance, underscoring the need for sensitivity in pricing decisions within the aviation sector.