Air transport fare within West Africa highest globally – ECOWAS

Mr Sédiko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, has said that air transport fares within the West African subregion remain the highest in the world. Douka also revealed that recent studies conducted by renowned organisations showed that air transportation within West Africa is still less than 10%, which represents the lowest. He said […]

Mr Sédiko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, has said that air transport fares within the West African subregion remain the highest in the world.

Douka also revealed that recent studies conducted by renowned organisations showed that air transportation within West Africa is still less than 10%, which represents the lowest.

He said the situation has become a barrier to the integration of the region.

Douka spoke in Lome on Tuesday at the opening of the Sixth Legislature ECOWAS, Parliament Delocalised meeting of the Joint Committee on Infrastructure, Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources.

He said the ECOWAS leadership is concerned with the situation and has therefore charged the Commission to coordinate and harmonise the air transport policies, programs, and projects of Member States.

He said: “The air tariff in West Africa remains excessively high compared to other countries in the world. In this case, it is less expensive to make the flight to another African country than to travel between two countries in ECOWAS. This situation is counterproductive for the future of the West African region and the collective airspace.

“Recent studies conducted by renowned organisations in 2024 have shown low growth in air transport in West Africa (less than 10%). This, at a time when other regions, for example, record 40.4% for North Africa, 21.4% for Southern Africa, and 20.5% for East Africa. Other comparisons made in terms of domestic flights, intra-African travel, major airlines, and airport size have also shown that West Africa lags far behind these same regions mentioned above.”

“In accordance with Article 32 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, the statutory bodies have mandated the Commission to coordinate and harmonise the air transport policies, programs, and projects of Member States. Likewise, to contribute all initiatives, strategies, and action plans aimed at improving air transport within its territory.”

He called on the meeting to consider the issue of common rules for passenger compensation in the event of denied boarding, cancellation, or significant delays of a flight within the ECOWAS region.