New Airport Levy Pushes Up Airfares Across Ghana

Airline ticket prices for both domestic and international travel are rising from today as carriers begin applying the government’s Airport Infrastructure Development Levy.

Under the new charges, domestic passengers will pay an additional GH¢100 for flights within Ghana. Travellers within the region will face an extra $30 on one-way tickets and $70 on return journeys, while international passengers will pay $50 more for one-way trips and $100 extra for return fares.

The government says the levy is necessary to address infrastructure challenges in the aviation sector. Funds generated will support key projects, including a new concourse linking Terminals 2 and 3 at Kotoka International Airport, construction of a 2,000-capacity car park at Terminal 3, and rehabilitation of regional airports.

Aviation expert Sean Mendis has endorsed the policy, noting that Ghana must either raise airport charges or risk overburdening the system, particularly as Kotoka International Airport continues to subsidise other operations.

However, some industry stakeholders have expressed concern that the levy, combined with existing taxes, could make Ghana one of the most expensive aviation hubs in the region, potentially affecting its competitiveness. Others have questioned how the move aligns with ECOWAS directives encouraging member states to reduce air transport taxes to boost regional connectivity.

Passengers are therefore advised to expect higher ticket prices immediately, especially as airlines are also adjusting fares due to rising aviation fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

According to the Board of Airlines Representatives in Ghana, the new levy could push Ghana from 9th to 3rd place among African countries with the highest airport charges, placing it behind Gabon and Sierra Leone.

Globally, average airport charges for return flights range between $30 and $34, while Africa’s average stands at about $68, raising further concerns about affordability and Ghana’s position as a competitive travel hub.