Ghana’s new Airport Levy drives up Domestic and International ticket prices
Airline ticket prices for both domestic and international travel have increased following the implementation of the government’s Airport Infrastructure Development Levy.
Under the new charges, domestic passengers will pay an additional GH¢100 for flights within Ghana. Regional travellers will face an extra $30 on one-way tickets and $70 for return trips, while international passengers will pay $50 more for one-way journeys and $100 extra for return fares.
Government says the levy is aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps within the aviation sector. Proceeds will be used to fund key projects, including the construction of a concourse linking Terminals 2 and 3 at Kotoka International Airport, a 2,000-capacity car park at Terminal 3, and rehabilitation works at several regional airports.
Aviation expert Sean Mendis has backed the move, noting that Ghana must either increase airport charges or risk placing excessive strain on existing infrastructure.
However, some industry stakeholders have raised concerns that the levy, when combined with existing taxes, could make Ghana one of the most expensive aviation markets in the region and weaken its competitiveness. Others have also questioned its consistency with an ECOWAS directive calling for a 25 percent reduction in air transport taxes to enhance regional connectivity.
Passengers are therefore being advised to brace for higher ticket prices, particularly as some airlines have already begun adjusting fares in response to rising aviation fuel costs linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The Board of Airlines Representatives in Ghana has indicated that the country could move from ninth to third position among African nations with the highest airport charges, behind Gabon and Sierra Leone.
Globally, average airport charges for return trips range between $30 and $34, compared to Africa’s average of about $68, further intensifying concerns over affordability and competitiveness.
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