Aviation ministers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are convening in Lomé, Togo, from November 5 to 8, to discuss measures to reduce the high costs of air travel across the sub region.
The meetings, initiated following the 65th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit in July 2024, seek to establish reforms that will lower taxes and charges, enhance safety, and improve access to air services in the region.
The discussions will open with a gathering of aviation experts, culminating in a ministerial session on November 8, according to a statement from ECOWAS received by the African Press Agency (APA) on Monday.
Key topics include strategies to gradually reduce air transport taxes and align security protocols to improve regional connectivity and affordability for passengers.
ECOWAS highlighted that the various fees imposed by airports, air navigation services, civil authorities, and government taxes significantly affect the competitiveness of regional airlines, limiting economic development potential.
The anticipated reforms aim to create new opportunities in tourism, trade, and related sectors, supporting the free movement of people and goods in alignment with the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
