Fees and charges
The Banjul Accord Group passenger safety charge
Short answer
- Amount
- US$1 per passenger on international commercial departing flights 2
- Adopted
- May 2025, 18th BAG Plenary Session in Abuja 2
- Rollout
- Gradual from 1 January 2026, full enforcement expected by 2030 2
- Funds
- BAG, BAGASOO and the accident investigation agency BAGAIA 2
- Earlier Gambian plan
- US$5 Passenger Safety Levy announced for 1 May 1
- Status at Banjul
- Not on the GCAA schedule posted January 2024. No start notice found 7
What the Banjul Accord Group is
The Banjul Accord Group (BAG) is a group of seven West African states. They are Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone 4,5.
Its safety body is BAGASOO, the BAG Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation. A 2019 ICAO paper presented by Nigeria for the member states says BAGASOO was set up in 2010 from an ICAO project, COSCAP-BAG 5. A Voice of Nigeria report on the 2025 BAGASOO conference gives 2009 as the founding year 6.
The ICAO paper says BAGASOO harmonises regulations, carries out certification and surveillance for member civil aviation authorities, runs training and audits safety status 5. Daily Trust used the longer name Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Organisation in July 2025. It reported executive director Jailza Silva as saying the new levy covers security oversight systems 4.
The US$1 charge agreed in 2025
BusinessDay reported on 22 May 2025 that the 18th BAG Plenary Session in Abuja adopted a resolution for a US$1 Passenger Safety Charge on international commercial departing flights. The plenary was hosted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority 2.
Gradual implementation was to start on 1 January 2026, with full enforcement expected by 2030. Once the charge is fully in place, the yearly contributions member states pay to regional aviation bodies are to be phased out 2.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority said the 4th BAG Council of Ministers meeting in Abuja on 22 May 2025 approved a BAG Passenger Safety Charge of 1 USD, aligned with ECOWAS policy 3.
On 1 July 2025 Daily Trust reported that BAGASOO would introduce the US$1 levy from January 2026 in phases over five years. It said the Council of Ministers had ratified the decision 4.
The earlier US$5 Gambian levy plan
On 27 January 2023 The Point reported a GCAA statement signed by Director General Fansu Bojang. It announced a Passenger Safety Levy of US$5 per departing passenger to pay The Gambia's contribution to BAGASOO, with new charges effective on 1 May 1.
The GCAA airport charges schedule posted in January 2024 does not list a passenger safety levy 7. This site found no official notice that the US$5 levy took effect. Status: announced in January 2023, not confirmed as live.
How the two charges compare
| Charge | Amount | Who set it | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Safety Levy 1 | US$5 per departing passenger 1 | GCAA statement 1 | Announced January 2023, not found on 2024 schedule 1,7 |
| BAG Passenger Safety Charge 2 | US$1 per passenger on international departures 2 | BAG plenary and Council of Ministers 2,3 | Phased from 1 January 2026, no Gambian notice found 2 |
What is not yet known
None of the sources this site opened says who collects the US$1 charge, whether it is added to the ticket, or when it starts at Banjul 2,4.
The Gambia's national aviation safety plan for 2026 to 2028, dated November 2025, names BAGASOO as a body The Gambia may ask for support. It does not mention the passenger safety charge 8.
BusinessDay reported that The Gambia is to host the 19th BAG Plenary Session, with no date announced 2.
Common questions
Do I pay a US$1 safety charge when flying from Banjul?
BAG agreed a US$1 charge on international departures from 1 January 2026, phased to 2030 2. This site found no Gambian notice on how or when it applies at Banjul.
Is the US$5 Passenger Safety Levy in force in The Gambia?
The GCAA announced it in January 2023 1. Its schedule posted in January 2024 does not list it 7.
Which countries are in the Banjul Accord Group?
Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone 5.
What does BAGASOO do?
It harmonises rules, helps certify and inspect operators for member authorities, trains staff and audits safety 5.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@gambiaairportguide.com.
Sources
- The Point, as reported by Ali Jaw: GCAA to increase flight passenger charges (27 January 2023)
- BusinessDay, as reported by Favour Okpale: Banjul Accord Group adopts US$1 passenger levy to fund aviation safety (22 May 2025)
- Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority: Festus Keyamo appointed chairman as BAG ministers unanimously sign the BAG legal instruments (22 May 2025)
- Daily Trust, as reported by Philip Shimnom Clement: Nigeria, 6 others begin US$1 passenger safety deductions Jan. 2026 (1 July 2025)
- ICAO 40th Assembly: Strengthening the RSOOs, the role of GASOS for the BAG region, working paper A40-WP/255 presented by Nigeria for the BAGASOO member states (2019)
- Voice of Nigeria, as reported by Tanimu Hassan: BAGASOO achieves 63% aviation safety standard in region (1 July 2025)
- Gambia Civil Aviation Authority: Airport charges, Banjul International Airport (undated schedule, file posted January 2024)
- Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure and GCAA: The Gambia National Aviation Safety Plan 2026 to 2028, issue 1 (November 2025)
Related
- The ECOWAS plan to cut air transport charges and taxes
ECOWAS agreed to abolish air transport taxes and cut passenger and security charges by 25 percent from 1 January 2026. What is known about Banjul.
- Airport development fee and other departure charges at Banjul
The €20 development fee, £10 service charge and £1.50 security charge for departing passengers, plus announced increases and their status.
- Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
The GCAA regulates aviation and runs Banjul International Airport. Its legal basis, directorates, passenger charges, and what audits and Parliament said.
- ICAO safety and security audits of The Gambia
The Gambia's ICAO safety oversight score of 70.48 percent from an October 2020 validation, by area, plus FAA status and security audit records.
- Civil aviation laws, treaties and regulations in The Gambia
The Acts behind the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, aviation treaties The Gambia has joined or is weighing, GCAA licence rules and laws planned to 2028.