Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives has approved a new law requiring air passengers to pay mandatory aviation security fees, following a heated debate among lawmakers over the role of government in funding national security.
The proclamation, endorsed during a regular parliamentary session on Tuesday, introduces compulsory aviation security charges for both domestic and international travelers.
The measure forms part of the broader Ethiopian Aviation Security Proclamation approved alongside another legislative bill.
Under the new regulation, domestic passengers will pay 30 birr per flight, while international travelers will be charged one US dollar.
Lawmakers stated that the revenue generated will support aviation security services, with funds directed to the National Intelligence and Security Service.
The decision, however, drew criticism from some members of parliament.
Desalegn Chane, a representative affiliated with the Amhara National Movement (ANM), argued that requiring passengers to cover aviation security costs contradicts the government’s responsibility to ensure public safety.
“The claim that service fees collected will be used for national security reflects a misunderstanding of the country’s financial system,” he said.
He further contended that budget allocations for institutions such as the civil aviation authority and the national intelligence agency should remain the responsibility of parliament, not passengers.
Chane also suggested that airlines, rather than travelers, should bear the cost of aviation security services.
Another lawmaker, Desalegn Wedajo, questioned the legal basis for allowing the intelligence agency to collect fees, calling on the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Revenue to clarify the mechanism outlined in the draft law.
Responding to these concerns, Fethi Mehdi, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs, stated that the intelligence agency is legally authorized to collect revenue from services it provides.
He cited the National Intelligence and Security Service Amendment Proclamation No. 1276/2014 as the legal framework enabling such collections.
Fethi emphasized that strengthening aviation security requires modern technology and additional funding sources beyond the state budget.
He noted that similar practices exist internationally, citing Tanzania and South Africa, where passengers are charged aviation security fees for both domestic and international travel.
According to lawmakers, the new proclamation aligns with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization and has already been implemented in practice prior to formal approval.
Officials also clarified that the fee applies exclusively to air travelers and does not extend to the general public.
The House ultimately passed the Ethiopian Aviation Security Proclamation with a majority vote, with two members opposing and two abstaining.