By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS and delays within West Africa countries will henceforth attract higher compensation rates, following a landmark approval by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The decision, part of measures to address the challenges in the region’s aviation industry, was announced in the final communiqué of the Sixty-Sixth Ordinary Summit.
The bloc, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, also endorsed a regional policy to cut passenger and security charges by 25% and eliminate unrelated taxes on air transport.
Moreover, the move aligns with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines and aims to ease travel costs for ECOWAS citizens.
To further enhance accountability, ministers in charge of air transport will from now monitor the implementation of the new policies.
Airlines are also required to comply with cost reductions, ensuring ticket prices reflect these changes for community-wide benefits.
The summit further commended progress on the Lagos-Abidjan corridor highway and urged the ECOWAS Bank and African Development Bank to mobilise funding for its construction.
