Effective January 1, 2026, air ticket taxes across West Africa will be abolished, and airfares are expected to drop by over 20 per cent as part of a regional policy aimed at making air travel more affordable and stimulating economic activities.
However, the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has formally petitioned the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), accusing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of persistent breaches of the union’s constitutional financial regulations.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that 93 per cent of the $1.2 billion in airline revenues blocked globally are concentrated in Africa and the Middle East.
To enhance air safety, modernise infrastructure, and improve passenger experience, the Federal Government has approved a comprehensive upgrade of navigational and communication systems across airports nationwide.
Chris Appiah, Director of Transport and Telecommunications at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said yesterday in Abuja that the decision followed a decade of studies which confirmed that West Africa had the most expensive air transport services in Africa.
