Beginning April 1, air travel costs in Ghana increased after authorities rolled out a new airport infrastructure levy of up to $100 on international return tickets, adding to travel expenses in West Africa and sparking concerns about regional competitiveness.
Carriers have responded by transferring the additional charge directly to passengers, leading to fare hikes across domestic, regional, and long-haul routes.
With the new structure in place, domestic passengers now pay an extra 100 Ghanaian cedis (around $9) per one-way trip.
For regional travel, ticket prices have gone up by as much as $30 per one-way journey, while international travellers are now charged an added $50 on one-way tickets and $100 on return fares.
PassionAir and Africa World Airlines confirmed that fares have been revised in compliance with the directive, with the levy applied to all tickets issued from April 1.
The government introduced the charge as part of efforts to secure dedicated funding for airport infrastructure improvements. Planned developments include a new concourse connecting Terminals 2 and 3 at Kotoka International Airport, expanded parking areas, and upgrades to regional airports.
Industry stakeholders have raised concerns about the policy, warning that it could make Ghana one of the costliest aviation markets on the continent.
Estimates from airline representatives suggest the country could move from ninth to third position in Africa for airport charges, ranking behind Gabon and Sierra Leone.
The decision also appears to conflict with initiatives by the Economic Community of West African States, which has been advocating for a 25% reduction in air travel taxes to boost regional connectivity. Existing data already shows that taxes and levies can make up as much as half of ticket prices in West Africa.
The timing further complicates matters for travellers, as airlines worldwide continue to adjust pricing due to increased fuel costs driven by geopolitical tensions.
In Africa, the financial strain is even more pronounced, with airlines earning an average of just $1.40 per passenger in 2025 significantly lower than global averages limiting their ability to absorb rising operational costs.
Ghana’s policy mirrors a wider pattern across the region, where countries like Nigeria have also raised aviation-related fees, alongside higher navigation charges across African airspace, intensifying cost pressures.
For travellers, the immediate outcome is more expensive tickets, while for policymakers, the ongoing challenge is finding a balance between financing infrastructure and keeping air travel affordable in a region where connectivity remains limited.