Ghana raises the domestic air passenger tax from GHC 5 to GHC 100. | By Joojo Maapa | Ghana’s Parliament has approved the government’s proposal, as outlined in the 2026 Budget Statement, to raise the domestic Airport Passenger Service Charge (APSC) from GHC 5 (44 cents) to GHC 100 ($9).
According to the report submitted to the House by the Parliamentary select Committee on Roads and Transport on the 2026 Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Transport for approval, the increase in the APSC, the first adjustment in more than a decade, is meant to ensure that the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) meets the rising cost of maintaining its regional airports and undertake some critical infrastructure works.
The Committee’s report also notes that it is to address the over-reliance on Kotoka International Airport to fund the operations and maintenance of all other regional airports in Ghana.
The Auditor-General’s Reports of the past two years have repeatedly flagged a major issue. The AG’s reports show that none of Ghana’s regional airports is financially self-sustaining. Due to the extremely low APSC of GHC5 per domestic passenger, airports such as Tamale, Wa, Ho, Sunyani and Kumasi generate insufficient revenue to cover basic operations.
As a result, Kotoka International Airport (KIA), which handles the profitable international traffic, has been forced to subsidize the operational costs of all regional airports. AviationGhana has previously reported the concerns of industry experts who argue that the current fee structure is “unsustainable” and prevents maintenance, expansion and safety improvements across Ghana’s airport network.
Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyiye Opare, Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), has been very outspoken about the need to review the APSC and has engaged relevant stakeholders in preparation for the consideration of the proposal for inclusion in the national budget.
Expert Backs Increase In Domestic Airport Charges
African aviation expert, Sean Mendis, has also highlighted that Ghana must “either increase domestic airport charges or continue watching KIA collapse under the financial burden of subsidising the entire system.”
Ghana raises domestic air passenger tax from GHC 5 to GHC 100 | AviationGhana | Send all press releases and enquiries to AviationGhana.info@gmail.com
