The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced higher compensation rates for passengers affected by flight delays and cancellations across its member states. This decision was revealed in the final communiqué of the ECOWAS 66th Ordinary Summit, chaired by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
The bloc addressed the high costs of air travel, noting its adverse impact on regional aviation growth and economic integration. To mitigate these challenges, ECOWAS adopted a supplementary act to harmonize aviation charges, taxes, and fees within the region.
Among the key measures is a 25% reduction in passenger and security charges, alongside the removal of unrelated taxes on air transport, aligning with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) principles on transparent and fair pricing.
Additionally, ECOWAS approved regulations for a unified Aviation Security Framework and updated the rules for passenger compensation in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellations, and delays. Ministers responsible for air transport and the ECOWAS Commission were tasked with ensuring uniform implementation across member states. Airlines are also expected to adjust ticket prices to reflect cost reductions, benefiting citizens across the region.
Progress on Lagos-Abidjan Corridor and Maritime Projects
The summit also highlighted progress on the 1,028-kilometer Lagos-Abidjan corridor highway. Technical engineering designs and preparatory work for the project are advancing steadily.
Further developments include financial and technical studies for the Praia-Dakar maritime link and alignment for the Dakar-Abidjan highway. Consultations with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development are underway to secure financing for these critical infrastructure projects.
ECOWAS called for expanded resource mobilization efforts with private and public stakeholders to accelerate implementation. These projects aim to enhance connectivity and foster economic integration within the region.