Federal Lawmakers Spar Over Aviation Safety Charge

Feb 8 , 2026. By NAHOM AYELE ( FORTUNE STAFF WRITER )

The federal government is set to introduce an aviation security fee, the first in nearly 20 years, as part of a major overhaul of the country's aviation security law. The bill, reviewed by the Council of Ministers and now before Parliament, proposes a one-dollar charge for every international flight passenger, 30 Br for domestic flights, and two dollars a piece of cargo. Ethiopian Airlines carried 19 million passengers last year.

Airlines passengers will soon face a new charge, tucked into their ticket prices as an aviation security fee.

The proposal, initiated in amendments to the country's aviation security law, the first major revision in nearly 20 years, targets to shore up security funding in compliance with international practices. The Council of Ministers reviewed the amended bill and submitted it to Parliament in January this year. The bill is currently under review by federal lawmakers.

However, the measure ignited debate among officials, lawmakers, and industry experts about its necessity, implementation, and potential impact.

The new fee will not only affect those flying with Ethiopian Airlines. Passengers arriving in Ethiopia through foreign private operators and travellers using Addis Abeba as a transit point will also be subjected to the fee. The proposal, part of a broader amended bill, revises the mandate and duties of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) and the National Intelligence & Security Service (NISS). It assigns additional roles to other federal agencies, including the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII), the Immigration & Citizenship Service (ICS), and the Customs Commission.

The bill introduces provisions for security service fees and revised passenger screening protocols.

Officials at the NISS have outlined a simple structure: a one-dollar fee for every international flight passenger, a two-dollar fee for every piece of cargo, and a 30 Br fee for passengers on domestic flights. They have called these rates “introductory” and signalled they may be adjusted after Parliament approves the scheme.

Ethiopian Airlines transported 19 million passengers last year, including 15.2 million international travellers. In the first half of the current fiscal year, 10.7 million passengers have already flown with the national carrier, which plans to transport 22 million passengers for the full year. About 17.6 million of whom, comprising 80pc, are expected to be international travellers. At the proposed one-dollar fee, this would bring in a substantial sum from international passengers alone.

The federal intelligence agency, led by Redwan Hussein, will use the funds.

Once a secondary school teacher, a regional education official, and deputy mayor of Addis Abeba, Redwan held multiple ministerial and diplomatic posts (as an ambassador in Ireland), and most recently, as a Director general of the agency since February 2024. One of his deputies at the agency, Restu Yirdaw, who previously served as president of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, & Peoples’ Regional State, appeared before Parliament last week to promote the amendments.

Restu and other officials of the agency presented the plan to the Foreign Relations & Peace Affairs Standing Committee, chaired by Dima Negewo (PhD).

Restu told the Committee that the new fee would strengthen the agency’s ability to ensure aviation safety and enable the procurments of modern equipment that meets international standards. He attributed the decision to the growing complexity of the global aviation industry and cited international practices supported by organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

"The proposed fee structure will bring Ethiopia’s aviation security in line with global norms," Restu told the Committee.

Lawmakers, however, raised pointed questions. Sadika Adem, a member of the Standing Committee and the panel’s spokesperson, questions whether the new fee might put undue pressure on passengers or harm Ethiopian Airlines' reputation. He pressed the agency's officials for details on transparency and oversight, including how the funds would be managed and monitored.

A Ministry of Justice representative added to the scepticism. He questioned the agency’s authority to levy such fees and contended that providing security was a basic government responsibility. He cautioned against giving a public agency free rein to set the amount it collects from travellers, insisting that such charges should be approved by the Council of Ministers. He further argued that shifting core government obligations to the public was “inappropriate” and risked creating unnecessary burdens.

Officials of NISS pushed back. Asrat Kejela, appearing for the agency, countered that international aviation organisations endorse such practices.

"The Ethiopian Airlines already adjusts fares in line with market forces and global trends without requiring prior government approval," he said.

Asrat argued that a similar approach to security fees would be practical and efficient, contribute to the Airline’s financial health, and align with industry standards.

“The proposed one-dollar fee is small and wouldn't affect passengers’ finances or harm the reputation of the national carrier,” said Asrat.

The Deputy Director echoed these sentiments. He told lawmakers the purpose was not to generate profit but to "enhance the country’s aviation security." The proposed fees, he argued, were modest by global standards and sought to relieve the federal government’s budget while keeping safety measures current.

"Advanced technology and continuous training are vital for the sector," said Restu. "Depending solely on government funding makes these efforts difficult."

The proposed charges come as domestic air travel in Ethiopia grows. As security risks mount in several regional states, making drivers uneasy, more people are opting for air travel over less expensive road options. The shift has made domestic flights more common, but it has also heightened sensitivity to fluctuating ticket prices and new fees, raising concerns about affordability and the cost burden on regular travellers.

Industry observers see the changes as a logical step in modernising the aviation sector.

According to Yonatan Menkir, an aviation analyst, charging passengers for security is routine elsewhere. He observed that many countries adopted “user pays” models, sharing funding responsibilities between governments and travellers.

“The introduction of the aviation security fee is a necessary step toward formalising and stabilising funding for aviation security,” said Yonatan. "It creates a clear legal framework and secures support for safety improvements."

Yonatan downplayed the risk that the fee would be onerous for travellers. He found the proposed rates to be “relatively low” compared with international averages and “unlikely to create a significant burden.” He called the fee “manageable and reasonable for the travelling public.” He also urged aviation authorities to consider additional strategies for funding security, including diversifying commercial revenue at airports through retail activities, parking fees, and land leases.

"Tying charges to ticket Parliament rather than a flat rate, and employing risk-based systems to cut per-passenger costs can also be considered," he said.

PUBLISHED ON Feb 08,2026 [ VOL 26 , NO 1345]