In a landmark move to enhance aviation safety and sustainability across West Africa, the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) has approved the introduction of a $1 Passenger Safety Charge (PSC) on all international flight tickets originating from its seven member states. The decision was ratified during BAG’s 18th Plenary Session held in Abuja, Nigeria, and marks a strategic shift toward a more predictable, user-based funding model for regional aviation oversight.
The PSC, set to be implemented gradually from January 1, 2026, and fully operational by 2030, is designed to finance the critical work of the BAG Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) and the BAG Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA). Both bodies have struggled due to inconsistent financial contributions from member countries — Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, The Gambia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone — with Nigeria historically bearing the brunt of the funding responsibilities.
Once fully in place, the new charge will allow for the phasing out of direct annual contributions from member governments, providing a more stable financial foundation to drive safety oversight, accident investigation, and regulatory harmonization.
Captain Chris Najomo, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), emphasized that the PSC would unlock broader regional benefits, beyond just financial stability. He noted that the funding mechanism would directly strengthen safety oversight and enable BAG to effectively implement key continental initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) — frameworks designed to liberalize African airspace, lower airfares, and boost intra-African connectivity.
Najomo also called for the removal of inter-state restrictions within BAG countries to encourage interlining and seamless airline operations, which are currently hindered by bureaucratic and regulatory barriers. “We must collaborate more. Nigeria is seen as the ‘big brother’ because of our ongoing technical and regulatory support,” he said.
Highlighting the uneven aviation capacity across the region, Najomo noted that Nigeria operates 13 scheduled domestic airlines, while several member states have just one or none. For instance, Sierra Leone recently issued its first-ever Air Operator Certificate (AOC), facilitated through a partnership with a Nigerian airline now flying the national flag as Air Sierra Leone.
This milestone, he said, underscores the importance of regional support and cooperation. Nigeria has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with other BAG nations to provide regulatory, technical, and operational assistance to help strengthen local aviation infrastructure.
The plenary also welcomed the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)’s commitment to BAG, with the EU body announcing a doubling of its financial support — from €5 million to €10 million. This additional funding is expected to bolster BAG’s institutional capabilities, technical programs, and long-term objectives.
BAG’s recommendations, including the PSC implementation roadmap, will now be reviewed by the Council of Ministers from the seven member countries, who are scheduled to meet on May 21, 2025. Their deliberations will focus on legislative alignments, administrative procedures, and strategies for national adoption.
Beyond government efforts, BAG also resolved to intensify engagement with airlines and aviation service providers, urging them to join the group’s cooperative safety framework. A regional sensitization campaign will be launched to promote industry buy-in and ensure the success of collaborative efforts.
As BAG positions itself for a new chapter in regional aviation, the introduction of the $1 Passenger Safety Charge is being hailed as a transformative step toward ensuring financial autonomy, safety enhancement, and regional integration across West Africa’s skies.
