Players in Ghana’s aviation industry are warning that rising taxes and charges on air travel are stifling demand and weakening competition, between Ghana and other African countries.  

The concerns follow Parliament’s passage of the Airport Infrastructure Levy Bill, which introduces a $100 Airport Infrastructure Development charge on airfares for international flights and GHS100 for domestic travel.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadi. Speaking at the Aviation Ghana Breakfast Meeting, he noted that Ghana’s approach is inconsistent to regional efforts to reduce the cost of flying.

“ECOWAS has rightly demanded the elimination of air transport taxes and a 25% reduction in passenger and security charges from January 2026. However, recent measures by Ghana, including the increase in airport passenger service charges for international travel from $5 to $100 and the introduction of a $9 API fee, make travel more expensive and undermine competitiveness,” he said.

Industry stakeholders argue that instead of stimulating growth, the levy risks pricing Ghana out of the regional aviation market at a time when Africa is pushing for cheaper, more connected skies.

Stellamarie Ndunge, of the Board of Airline Representatives, Ghana said the move will make air travel less attractive and limit route expansion.

“We are deeply concerned by the coming AIDC charge of a $100 on return ticket scheduled for 1st of April 2026.” She revealed.

“This new fee will bring total departure charges $173 for one-way tickets to $243 for returning tickets catapulting Ghana to top 10 most expensive countries globally by way of passenger charges,” she said.  

Passenger Charges

According to the Board of Airlines Representatives Ghana, in Africa, Ghana is set to fall from 9th to 3rd place on the continent, trailing only Gabon and Sierra Leone for most expensive airport charges by countries if it goes ahead to implement the AIDC charge on the 1st April, 2026.

While the average global airport charges on return trips lie between $30 and $34, the African rate hovers around $68.

Meanwhile, West Africa happens to have one of the highest airport charge averages at about $110 per return trip.