Sierra Leone Travellers Call for Greater Transparency Over $25 Airport Charge
Public frustration is mounting over the $25 Airport Security Fee charged at Freetown International Airport (FIA), with citizens, travelers, and civil society groups calling for a review or removal of the charge.
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Public frustration is mounting over the $25 Airport Security Fee charged at Freetown International Airport (FIA), with citizens, travelers, and civil society groups calling for a review or removal of the charge.
Introduced in 2022 under a public-private partnership with Securiport, the fee was intended to fund airport security services. Critics, however, question its justification, transparency, and fairness.
Civil society organizations are urging the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and the Aviation Authority to disclose terms of the agreement, revenue collected, and how the funds are spent.
Parliamentary committees have also been called upon to examine the legality and fairness of the charge.
Economists warn that the fee could negatively affect tourism and business travel. Travelers returning home have described it as an added financial burden.
“This $25 fee is unfair we already pay for tickets, visas, and other expenses,” said one traveler.
With growing pressure, Sierra Leoneans are demanding accountability, transparency, and reforms that prioritize citizens’ interests over private contracts.