Bordered by increasing financial burden on airlines in Africa, the Secretary-General of the African Airlines Association, Abderahmane Berthe, has appealed to the Economic Community of West African States to slash taxes and charges imposed on airlines operating in the region.

Speaking at the Aviation Africa 2025 conference held recently in Kigali, the AFRAA Secretary-General highlighted the overwhelming financial burdens faced by African carriers, attributing much of the strain to excessive levies and blocked funds across the continent.

Experts have said Nigeria is one of the countries where airline operators pay the most in tax on the continent. A development that has majorly contributed to increased airfares.

Berthe stressed that for Africa’s aviation sector to thrive, governments must take urgent steps to reduce operational costs.

“We are calling on ECOWAS Heads of State, Civil Aviation Authorities and all relevant stakeholders to reduce taxes and charges paid by airlines. These costs are stifling growth and connectivity,” he said.

He also announced that five major African airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, EgyptAir, and Royal Air Maroc, are collaborating to cut down maintenance, repair, and overhaul costs by next year.

According to him, this joint effort underscores AFRAA’s belief in strategic cooperation across the continent to drive efficiency and sustainability.

Berthe also drew attention to the positive momentum created by the African Continental Free Trade Area, identifying Africa’s youthful population as a powerful asset for future growth. He, however, cautioned that infrastructural challenges and policy inefficiencies still hinder progress.

Reinforcing these concerns, the International Air Transport Association’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, condemned the high cost of airline operations in Africa.

He said, “Operating in Lagos, Nigeria, for example, is more expensive than in London Heathrow. Insurance alone is eight times more costly in Nigeria.”

Al-Awadhi criticised the disconnect between African governments and the aviation industry, describing their involvement as limited to imposing fees.

 “Between 60 and 70 per cent of every airline ticket sold in Africa goes toward taxes, charges, and levies,” he lamented. “Governments must stop treating aviation as a cash cow,” he added.