Transport Minister Defends New Airport Infrastructure Levies | Discuss Ghana

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, strongly defended the newly implemented Airport Infrastructure Development Levy (AIDL), asserting that the charges are vital to modernizing Ghana's aviation facilities and preventing a total collapse of existing systems.

The new levies, which officially took effect on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, have drawn sharp criticism from travelers and industry players due to their significant impact on airfares.

---

The New Fee Structure

The levy applies to all tickets issued from April 1, with the following breakdown:

Category	New Levy Amount
Domestic Travelers	GH¢100 per ticket.
International Travelers	$100 (one-way) / $200 (return).
ECOWAS / Regional	$15 – $30 per ticket.

Note: Infants, diplomats, and on-duty airline crew are exempt from these charges.

---

Justification: "Modernize or Decay"

Minister Nikpe explained that the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has not seen a comprehensive fee adjustment for infrastructure since 2012, leading to several critical "deplorable" conditions:

Sanitation Crisis: The sewage treatment plant at the Accra International Airport (formerly Kotoka) is 25 years old and at full capacity. The Minister warned of a "waste reversal" risk if it is not replaced immediately.

Congestion: Current car parks are overflowing onto public streets. Funds will be used to build a modern, larger car park with short-stay and hotel facilities.

Terminal Integration: A major portion of the revenue will fund a connecting concourse between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 in Accra, allowing transit passengers to move between domestic and international flights without exiting the building.

Regional Expansion: The levy will support the construction of new airports and terminal upgrades in Sunyani, Wa, and Bolgatanga to boost regional economic activity.

Industry Concerns and Competitiveness

Despite the government's stance, the Board of Airline Representatives Ghana (BARGH) has warned that these hikes could make Ghana the 3rd most expensive aviation market in Africa, behind only Gabon and Sierra Leone.

Fare Hikes: Combined with rising aviation fuel prices, domestic ticket prices are expected to jump by at least GH¢100, while international return fares could see a total tax burden of up to $243.

Regional Competitiveness: Critics argue the move contradicts an ECOWAS directive to reduce air transport taxes by 25% to encourage regional travel.

Sunset Clause: To appease stakeholders, the government has included a "sunset clause," meaning the levy is legally required to be removed once the targeted infrastructure projects are completed and paid for.