During the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Press Conference on October 24, 2023, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Musayeroh Barrie, addressed the pressing issue of escalating air ticket prices.

Barrie highlighted several key factors contributing to the surge in ticket costs, shedding light on the challenges faced by both passengers and the government.

In her statement, Barrie emphasized that the increase in air ticket prices can be attributed to a combination of factors, including passenger volumes, reduced airline options, and the relentless impact of inflation.

In her words, “passenger volumes, fewer airlines, and inflation are among the factors that influence air tickets.”

She disclosed her own firsthand experience, having purchased a ticket from Freetown to London on the same day, October 24, 2023, at a cost of $1871. Of this sum, only $139 constituted government taxes, underlining that the vast majority of the ticket price is beyond the government’s regulatory influence.

This revelation underscores the complexities surrounding the air travel industry, where external factors play a significant role in determining the final cost of tickets.

As passengers grapple with rising expenses, Director General Musayeroh Barrie’s statement brings attention to the challenges faced by governments and regulatory bodies in managing airfare costs, striving to strike a balance between affordability and maintaining a sustainable aviation sector.