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The French national airline, AirFrance has suspended its operations to Sierra Leone. The reason for the suspension is said to be due to low traffic volume.
The flight’s customer base to Freetown International Airport has dwindled over the past months.
Commenting on the issue, popular journalist, Umaru Fofana suggested Sierra Leone rethink their tax policy.
Currently, passengers pay higher to travel to Sierra Leone than other destinations in the West African sub-region.
“One saves several hundred dollars flying from Europe or the US – and a lot more to Australia and South America on ticket cost alone,” Fofana said.
He said he was told the reason for the high cost is due to taxes.
The airport has a number of extra charges that passengers complain to be exorbitant including a $50 security fee.
The body responsible for the management of the airport and airlines in the country, the Civil Aviation Authority expected costs to be reduced by the end of the year.
The airport, which now has a modern terminal, successfully passed the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit for the first time.
There are expectations that the result would attract more flights to Sierra Leone by the end of the year thereby resulting to an increment in revenue and subsequently a reduction in the high cost of travelling to Freetown from other destinations.
“So, it’s a no-brainer that many passengers would rather travel to Guinea by road or boat and fly from Conakry,” Fofana said.
AirFrance has a fleet size of over 245 and fly to 201 destinations in 78 countries. The flight was one of the few non-regional flights that fly to Freetown at least once a week.
Salone go Halaki ma!! Says the Junta-SLPP led government. Bio will strangulate Salone to death with taxes. He taxed African Mineral & other important businesses till they close business in Salone. Instead of building his new airport at Manama to ease traveling hassle in Salone,, he chose the same old location. How does that solve the problem of inaccessibility of the airport. He don’t get it!! Foreign investors don’t like to travel to a country where you spend more time to get to your home after landing than flying. To make things worse, he imposed an illegal tax on every traveler into or from the country. Omar Fofanah is right. THIS GUY DON’T GET IT, AND WILL NEVER GET IT.