Airfares in Ghana rose on Wednesday after a new government levy on airline tickets came into effect, adding to travel costs at a time of mounting concern over aviation fuel prices and the competitiveness of the country’s airport charges.
The Airport Infrastructure Development Levy, introduced from April 1, applies to both domestic and international tickets and is expected to increase the cost of air travel for passengers flying within Ghana, across the West African region and on long-haul international routes.
Under the new charges, domestic travellers will pay an additional 100 cedis on flights within Ghana, while regional passengers will face a surcharge of 30 dollars on one-way tickets and 70 dollars on return fares.
International travellers will pay an extra 50 dollars on one-way flights and 100 dollars on return tickets, according to details released by local media and industry stakeholders.
The government says the levy is necessary to help finance critical upgrades to the country’s airport infrastructure, particularly at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport, Ghana’s main aviation hub.
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Planned projects include the construction of a concourse to connect Terminals 2 and 3 at Kotoka, the development of a 2,000-space car park at Terminal 3, and rehabilitation works at regional airports.
Officials argue that without new funding streams, Ghana’s aviation infrastructure could struggle to keep pace with passenger growth and operational demands.
The policy, however, has triggered concern among airlines and aviation industry players, who warn that the additional charges could make Ghana one of the most expensive countries in Africa for air travel and undermine efforts to improve regional connectivity.
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Some stakeholders say the levy comes at a particularly difficult moment for the sector, with airlines already adjusting fares upwards in response to higher operating costs, including rising jet fuel prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Industry analysts have also questioned whether the measure is consistent with broader regional efforts to make air travel more affordable.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has previously urged member states to reduce taxes and charges on air transport by 25 percent in a bid to strengthen connectivity, boost tourism and support trade within the region.
Critics say Ghana’s new levy appears to move in the opposite direction.
Aviation expert Sean Mendis, however, defended the move, saying the country needed to find a sustainable way to fund airport operations and expansion.
According to comments cited by local media, he warned that Ghana must either increase domestic airport charges or risk placing an unsustainable financial burden on Kotoka International Airport.
The Board of Airlines Representatives in Ghana has also raised alarm over the likely impact of the levy on the country’s position in the regional aviation market.
According to the group, if fully implemented, the new charges could move Ghana from ninth to third among African countries with the highest airport charges, behind only Gabon and Sierra Leone.
That would further fuel concerns that Accra could become a less attractive transit and destination point for airlines and travellers, especially as African carriers and airports compete for a larger share of regional passenger traffic.
Globally, average airport charges for return trips are estimated at between 30 and 34 dollars, while the African average stands at around 68 dollars, figures often cited by industry groups in arguments for lower fees on the continent.
For passengers, the immediate effect is likely to be higher ticket prices from Wednesday, especially for frequent domestic and regional flyers.
The increase adds another layer of cost pressure for travellers already facing inflationary strains in one of West Africa’s most expensive aviation markets.
Whether the levy ultimately improves airport infrastructure enough to justify the higher fares may determine how long the policy remains politically and commercially acceptable.
