Gabon charges the highest air travel tax in Africa at $298, 229 times more than Libya’s $1.30 fee

Key Takeaways

  • Gabon imposes Africa’s highest international air travel tax at $297.70, followed closely by Sierra Leone at $294 and Nigeria at $180.
  • Libya charges the lowest air travel tax among the listed African countries at just $1.30, with other low-cost countries including Malawi ($5.00), Lesotho ($5.70), and Algeria ($9.80).
  • All of the 10 most expensive countries charge over $100 in departure taxes, suggesting a trend of high levies among a subset of African nations.
  • The gap between the highest and lowest air travel taxes in Africa exceeds $296, revealing significant disparities in passenger costs across the continent.

In 2024, international passengers departing from some African countries paid steep air travel taxes, government or airport-imposed fees added to ticket prices for outbound international flights. According to the data, Gabon led the continent with a $297.70 tax, followed closely by Sierra Leone ($294) and Nigeria ($180). These three countries made international departures some of the most expensive in Africa. The rest of the top 10 most expensive countries, including Djibouti, Niger, and Ghana, all exceeded $100 in departure taxes.

On the flip side, a different policy approach was evident in several other countries. Libya’s tax was just $1.30, the lowest on the list, while Malawi, Lesotho, Algeria, and Botswana all kept their exit fees under $20. The disparity is striking: a traveller flying out of Gabon paid more than 228 times what a passenger did in Libya.

Source:

AFRAA

Period:

2024
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