Omanghana
Ghana has introduced a new Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC), a levy that is already driving up the cost of air travel across domestic, regional, and international routes. Airlines have begun integrating the mandatory charge into ticket prices, effectively passing the added cost directly on to passengers.
The new levy applies differently depending on travel destinations and ticket types. For intercontinental travel, passengers now pay an additional $50 on one-way tickets and $100 for round-trip tickets. Flights within Africa attract a $30 surcharge for one-way journeys and $70 for return tickets. Travel within the ECOWAS region carries a lower fee of $15, while domestic flights within Ghana now include an added GH¢100 per ticket.
The policy is part of a broader effort to raise funds for airport infrastructure development. The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) projects that the levy will generate approximately $800 million over the next decade. These funds are expected to support major upgrades, including the construction of a new concourse linking Terminals 2 and 3 at Accra International Airport, the development of a 2,000-capacity car park, and the rehabilitation of regional airports such as Sunyani.
Certain categories of travelers are exempt from the charge. Infants under the age of two, airline crew on duty, and passengers who purchased tickets before the implementation date of April 1 will not be affected.
Despite the anticipated infrastructure improvements, the new charges have raised concerns within the aviation industry. Experts from the Council of Airline Representatives in Ghana warn that the increased fees could make Ghana one of the most expensive aviation markets in Africa. There are also concerns that the levy may conflict with ECOWAS directives aimed at reducing air transport taxes by 25 percent to improve regional connectivity and affordability.
Source: Omanghana
