The Economic community of West African States, ECOWAS, has approved major changes aimed at reducing the high cost of flying within Nigeria and the entire West Africa region.
In a statement yesterday, the Commission said Heads of State and Government had, earlier had their December 2024 summit in Abuja, adopted a measure that will remove taxes applied to air transport and reduce passenger and security charges by 25 per cent from January 1, 2026.
The Commission warned that the high cost of air travel has discouraged movement, slows tourism, affects trade and undermines its free movement agenda.
ECOWAS further said that member states must amend their national laws and policies to ensure full implementation, while airlines are expected to pass on the reductions to travellers.