The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) members to implement the proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges.
IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Mr Kamil Al-Awadhi, gave the advice at the IATA 82nd Annual General Meeting on Monday in Brazil.
This is according to a statement by the association.
Al-Awadh said the measure would help to lower the cost of air travel, stimulate passenger traffic, and improve the competitiveness of airlines operating within West Africa.
He identified excessive taxes, charges, and other operational expenses as burdening airlines across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from cost perspective.
He said that high operational costs had challenged Nigeria’s aviation viability and growth of local carriers.
Al-Awadhi said that in spite of efforts by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), to reform and improve the aviation sector. airlines in the country still faced significant cost pressures.
According to Al-Awadhi, the high-cost environment is limiting the sector’s ability to reach its full potential.
