ACCRA, August 8, 2025 — In a rare twist of good economic news, Ghana’s domestic airline passengers will now pay less for air travel as the national currency, the cedi, posts one of the most impressive rebounds in the global market this year.
After months of pressure from government officials, domestic airlines have begun slashing ticket prices to reflect the cedi’s sharp appreciation against the U.S. dollar. On June 11, 2025, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe urged airline operators to reduce fares by at least 15%, pointing to similar cuts already implemented by road transport unions.
Leading the charge, PassionAir announced a 10% reduction across all its domestic routes, effective June 17, 2025, linking the decision directly to the currency’s rise. The airline’s move, welcomed by travellers, covers major destinations including Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, and Wa. Africa World Airlines (AWA) has also indicated plans to review its prices in light of the currency’s performance, though no formal cut has been confirmed.
The fare reduction comes as the Ghanaian cedi continues a remarkable turnaround from its late-2024 slump. Once trading at a staggering ₵16.4 to the U.S. dollar in November 2024, the cedi has surged to around ₵10 per dollar by mid-2025 — a gain of over 40% year-to-date. Bloomberg data places it among the world’s best-performing currencies this year.
Economists attribute the currency’s rebound to a cocktail of fiscal reforms, robust foreign exchange inflows, gold reserve accumulation, and decisive central bank interventions. The appreciation has already begun to ease inflationary pressures, cut the cost of servicing external debt, and strengthen investor confidence.
For travellers, the immediate impact is clear: cheaper flights, more accessible air travel, and a little relief for wallets bruised by years of high transport costs. For the government, it’s a moment to point to concrete benefits of macroeconomic stability — and for airlines, an opportunity to stimulate passenger traffic and rebuild after the turbulence of recent years.
With the cedi’s trajectory still holding strong, the question now is whether other sectors will follow aviation’s lead in passing the gains on to consumers. For now, passengers boarding domestic flights in Ghana are enjoying a smoother, cheaper ride — both in the air and in their pockets.
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