The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education have provided update on the renegotiated Freetown International Airport contract.
The original agreement, signed and approved in May 2021, saw the establishment of a $150 airport development fee, slated for an increase in December 2023.
However, the amended contract, recently approved by Parliament in December 2023, brings significant changes. The airport development fee is revised to $100, with a yearly increase of $1, set to take effect in March 2024.
Noteworthy alterations include a boost in revenue sharing from 30% to 40%, and Summa, the contracting party, will now assume responsibility for all redundancy benefits, totaling $7.5 million USD, for former airport staff.
Crucially, Summa is now covering all costs for the 2nd and 3rd phases of Airport Expansion/Development, relieving the government of the previous $20,000,000 payment burden. Summa has also committed to addressing contract overlaps, specifically with Westminster and SHP.
Additionally, the government gains the right to object to any fee increases within a 7-day window. This marks a significant shift in the terms of the agreement, granting the government increased control and oversight.
Contrary to misinformation, passenger figures for October, November, and December 2023 reveal a steady increase, reaching 13,445 as of December 28th.
The Ministry emphasizes that all aviation and airport charges are now embedded in passenger tickets, with the only separate charge being the $25 securiport fee collected at the airport.
