In a major move to reduce the cost of air travel within West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened a high-level conference in Lomé, Togo, to discuss reforms aimed at making air transport more affordable and enhancing regional connectivity. The gathering, which includes aviation ministers, air transport experts, and civil aviation authorities, is focused on addressing the high cost of air travel in the region—an issue that has long hindered economic integration and growth.

A key goal of the conference is to propose a 25% reduction in air ticket prices by eliminating certain non-air transport-related taxes and revising select fees. This initiative follows directives from the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government during their 65th Ordinary Session in July 2024, where leaders called for measures to make air travel more affordable and accessible for West Africans.

Lieutenant-Colonel Idrissou Ahabou Abdou, Director General of Togo's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), opened the event by stressing the importance of the discussions. "This conference is a vital opportunity to address air traffic growth, improve passenger rights, and enhance security at our airports—all of which are crucial to the future of the aviation sector in West Africa," he said. He added that through coordinated efforts, air travel could become a key driver of economic and social development across the region.

Chris Appiah, ECOWAS Director of Transport, underscored the urgency of tackling the region's unsustainable air transport cost structure. "High airfares limit access to air travel and stand in the way of deeper regional integration," he explained. "This meeting represents a critical step in finding practical solutions to reduce costs and improve the security of our airspace."

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, also emphasized that reducing ticket prices must go hand in hand with ensuring the safety of the region's airspace. He urged experts to focus on finalizing safety regulations while working to make air travel more competitive. "Safety is just as important as cost in ensuring that we achieve the desired progress in the aviation sector," Nuhu noted.

In addition to discussions, participants will visit Lomé's Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport to review security measures and the management of airport facilities. Presentations from ASKY Airlines are also planned, highlighting strategies to enhance regional connectivity.

The recommendations from the Lomé conference will be presented to ECOWAS Ministers of Air Transport on November 8, 2024, before being submitted for final approval by the ECOWAS Heads of State during their December 2024 Summit.

This initiative is part of ECOWAS’s broader efforts to promote regional integration by making air travel safer, more affordable, and accessible. If implemented, the proposed reforms will transform the West African air transport sector, offering citizens and businesses greater mobility and fostering economic growth across the region.