- Domestic Airlines raise fares as new airport levy takes effect
Domestic air travel in Ghana has become more expensive after two major carriers adjusted ticket prices to reflect a new government-backed airport levy introduced to help finance infrastructure upgrades. The Airport Infrastructure Development Charge, which took effect on April 1, adds a fresh layer of cost to domestic and regional air travel as airlines move to pass the levy directly on to passengers.
PassionAir said it would incorporate a GH¢100 one-way charge into all applicable domestic fares, in line with directives tied to the policy. “In line with the Government of Ghana’s policy on the airport infrastructure modernization programme, PassionAir wishes to inform the public and our valued customers of the introduction of the Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC) by the Ghana Airports Company Limited,” the airline said in a public notice.
The carrier added that the GH¢100 one-way levy would be applied as a tax on all relevant domestic tickets issued from April 1.
Africa World Airlines has also announced fare adjustments, citing the same policy directive.
The airline said an upward adjustment of GH¢100 would apply to all domestic routes, while US$15 would be added to all regional routes, for tickets issued on or after April 1.
According to AWA, the revised pricing follows the implementation of the newly approved Airport Infrastructure Development Charge, which it described as a government policy directive backed by law through the Ministry of Transport.
The levy forms part of a broader push by the government, working through Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Ministry of Transport to create a dedicated funding stream for airport modernisation and related infrastructure development.
For policymakers, the charge represents an attempt to ringfence resources for long-term upgrades to Ghana’s aviation infrastructure. But for passengers, the immediate effect is a direct increase in ticket prices at a time when cost sensitivity in domestic travel remains high.
The adjustment is also likely to test demand on shorter domestic routes, where fare changes can have a more immediate effect on passenger volumes, particularly among price-conscious business and leisure travellers.
For the airlines, however, the move leaves little room for discretion. The levy is being treated as a statutory pass-through cost rather than a commercial pricing decision, meaning carriers are effectively acting as collection agents under the new policy regime.
