Concerns are mounting over the impact of the newly introduced Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC), with critics warning that the policy could make air travel increasingly unaffordable for Ghanaians.
Hassan Tampuli, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, has questioned both the timing and necessity of the levy, arguing that it places additional financial strain on passengers at a time of global economic uncertainty.
The charge, which took effect on April 1, has already triggered fare increases by domestic airlines such as PassionAir and Africa World Airlines, with the cost being passed directly on to travellers.
While government maintains that the levy is essential for funding critical airport infrastructure projects, Mr Tampuli insists that passengers are already burdened with existing charges embedded in ticket prices.
He pointed to the long-standing Airport Passenger Service Charge (APSC) as evidence that travellers have consistently contributed to aviation-related costs, arguing that introducing a new levy without adjusting existing ones risks overburdening the public.
According to him, even previous attempts to increase the APSC were met with resistance due to affordability concerns, making the introduction of a fresh GH¢100 charge particularly contentious.
The development has sparked a broader conversation about balancing infrastructure development with cost-of-living pressures, as stakeholders weigh the benefits of improved airport facilities against the immediate impact on travellers.
