A recent fare survey conducted on September 6, 2026, has found that domestic flights in Ghana are significantly more expensive than comparable routes in other countries. The survey, which compared return economy-class airfares on five Ghanaian domestic routes against 12 comparator routes in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and India, reveals a wide gap between what Ghanaians pay to fly domestically and what their counterparts pay elsewhere on the continent and in South Asia.
According to the survey, the average lowest fare for domestic flights in Ghana came to US$313.06, compared with an average of US$181.50 for the 12 comparator routes — a difference of about 72%. At the higher end, the gap widens further: Ghana's average highest fare stood at US$450.48, nearly double the comparator average of US$227. The survey covered travel dates from September 28 to October 5, 2026.
Among the Ghanaian routes surveyed, Accra to Kumasi recorded the lowest fare, starting at US$275, though its highest fare reached US$522. Accra to Tamale ranged from US$318 to US$565, while Accra to Takoradi fares sat between US$379 and US$493. The Accra–Sunyani route ranged from US$304 to US$352, and Accra–Wa recorded fares between US$290 and US$320.
In contrast, Nigerian routes such as Lagos–Port Harcourt and Lagos–Abuja recorded fares between US$152 and US$280, while Lagos–Kano topped out at US$199. South African routes, including Johannesburg to Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Durban, ranged from US$198 to US$379. Kenyan fares on the Nairobi–Mombasa and Nairobi–Kisumu routes came in between US$166 and US$221.
India recorded the cheapest fares in the comparison, with a Mumbai–Delhi return costing as little as US$133 and no more than US$156. When 16 European domestic routes were added to the comparison, their average lowest fare of US$191.25 was actually 39% cheaper than Ghana's average lowest fare, but their average highest fare of US$448.31 was almost identical to Ghana's US$450.48.
The survey suggests that airport charges, fuel costs, and limited competition on Ghana's domestic routes may be possible factors pushing fares above those of regional peers. However, the survey itself does not break down which cost component contributes most. No official response from Ghanaian airlines, aviation authorities, or government on the specific findings has been reported.
The survey acknowledges its own limits, including different sourcing methods for fares that could affect comparability. GhanaWeb cautions that airfares fluctuate with travel dates, booking windows, demand, taxes, and seat availability, so the figures do not prove Ghanaian carriers are always costlier than their regional counterparts.
Key points
- Domestic flights in Ghana cost 72% more than similar routes in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and India.
- The average lowest fare for domestic flights in Ghana is US$313.06, compared to US$181.50 for comparator routes.
- Possible factors contributing to high fares in Ghana include airport charges, fuel costs, and limited competition.
