The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the exorbitant cost of air travel within the West African subregion, describing it as a significant barrier to economic integration and mobility among member states.

The statement was made by ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, Sédiko Douka, on Tuesday during the opening of the Sixth Legislature ECOWAS Parliament Delocalised Meeting of the Joint Committee on Infrastructure, Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources in Lomé, Togo.

According to Douka, intra-regional airfare is “excessively high” and often more expensive than flying to destinations outside the continent. He stressed that this situation is detrimental to the future of the West African region and its collective airspace.

Douka referenced recent studies by international organisations, which indicated that air transport usage in West Africa remains below 10 percent, the lowest on the African continent.

The commissioner attributed the low level of air transport usage to the high cost of air travel, which discourages people from travelling within the region. He underscored the need for urgent harmonisation of aviation policies and the implementation of Article 32 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, which empowers the Commission to coordinate air transport strategies aimed at improving connectivity and reducing costs across the region.

Douka also called on the ECOWAS Joint Committee to advocate for common rules on passenger rights, including compensation for flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding within the region. By addressing these challenges, ECOWAS seeks to promote economic integration and mobility among its member states.