The Country Manager of Qatar Airways, Stellamaris Ndunge Akhwale, has expressed concern over Ghana’s plan to introduce a $100 Air Traffic and Interoperability Data Communication (AIDC) charge on return tickets starting April 1, 2026.

While acknowledging government efforts to modernise the aviation sector, Akhwale stressed that rising passenger charges remain a pressing challenge for the Ministry of Transport and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.

She explained that with the new AIDC levy, international departure costs will rise to US$173 for one-way tickets and US$243 for return journeys.

“This increase would push Ghana into the top ten most expensive countries globally for passenger charges. Within Africa, Ghana would leap from 9th to 3rd place, behind only Gabon and Sierra Leone,” she warned.

Speaking at the 5th AviationGhana Breakfast Meeting in Accra, Akhwale said, “We are deeply concerned by the upcoming AIDC charge of $100 on return tickets scheduled for April 1, 2026, bearing in mind that more than 70% of our traffic is both inbound and outbound.”

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She noted that Ghana had already introduced a new API/PNR fee of $18 on return tickets on February 1, 2026.

Akhwale argued that these increases contradict the December 2025 ECOWAS mandate, which called for a 25% reduction in regional passenger charges by 2026 to stimulate growth.

Globally, average airport charges on return trips range between $30 and $34. In Africa, the average is $68, while West Africa, already the most expensive region, averages $110.

A 2024 AFRAA study confirmed that high taxes and fees are the primary deterrent to regional connectivity and passenger growth.

Regions with the highest charges, such as West and Central Africa, account for only 23% of continental traffic, compared to 35% in Northern Africa, where charges are lowest.

Akhwale cautioned that excessive levies could trigger revenue leakage, as passengers may opt for cheaper hubs in Lomé or Abidjan.

SA/MA