Government of Sierra Leone suspends $25 airport security fee. How this changes arrival costs for Lungi airport visitors and what homestay operators should expect.
On 11 November 2026, the Government of Sierra Leone announced the suspension of the $25 airport security fee that was being collected from international passengers arriving at Lungi International Airport. This is a significant shift for anyone operating guesthouses, homestays, or airport hotels in the Lungi area—and it changes the conversation you'll be having with arriving guests.
As someone running a Lungi-based hospitality operation, you've likely fielded questions about this fee. Travellers land, they're tired, they're disoriented, and suddenly there's an unexpected charge. Now, that friction point is gone—at least for the immediate term. But what does this mean for your business, your pricing, your guest experience, and your revenue planning?
The $25 fee wasn't trivial. For a solo traveller or a budget-conscious family, it was often the first financial surprise after an international flight. We've all seen the moment: guests land, complete immigration, and then encounter an unexpected charge at a security checkpoint. It creates friction, generates complaints, and sometimes tanks the first impression of Sierra Leone hospitality.
With the fee suspended, that friction disappears. Guests arrive with clearer expectations about their total arrival costs. They'll have $25 more in their pocket—or at least, they won't have lost it to an airport fee. That psychological shift matters more than the dollar amount itself.
For you as a homestay or airport hotel operator, this is your competitive advantage: a cleaner, simpler arrival experience. No hidden charges. No surprise fees. Just them, their luggage, and the road to your door.
If you're active on WhatsApp, email, or booking platforms, now's the time to update your pre-arrival communications. Make it explicit:
This messaging turns a government decision into your hospitality advantage. You're not just offering a room; you're offering predictability and respect.
Here's the harder question: should you adjust your rates?
The fee suspension doesn't directly affect your operating costs. You're still paying for electricity, water, staff, maintenance, and transport to the airport. However, guests will now compare your prices with heightened expectations. They're not losing $25 at the airport, so their perceived "total cost of arrival" is lower. This creates pressure—either to hold steady and appear competitive, or to adjust positioning.
Our advice: don't panic-drop your rates. Instead, reinvest the psychology of savings into your guest experience. Use the goodwill of the fee suspension to:
This positions you as the operator who respects guest time and money—which is more defensible than a race to the bottom on price.
Suspension, not permanent abolition. The Government of Sierra Leone has suspended the fee—which technically means it could be reinstated if fiscal priorities shift. We don't have visibility into whether this is permanent policy or a temporary relief measure. When speaking to guests, describe it as "currently suspended" rather than "permanently eliminated."
If the fee returns, you don't want guests blaming you. Keep your communication honest about the status quo.
Word travels fast in the Lungi hospitality community. If one operator is messaging the fee suspension as a competitive advantage, others will follow. Don't assume you have months to capitalize on this shift. Update your online presence now—Google Business Profile, WhatsApp status, booking sites, review platforms. Make it clear that the arrival experience is simpler and cheaper in 2026.
The $25 airport security fee suspension reflects the Government's effort to improve Sierra Leone's reputation as an accessible, transparent travel destination. Travellers talk. Reviews compound. A simpler, fairer arrival process translates into better word-of-mouth and repeat bookings. As a Lungi operator, you benefit directly from this policy shift—not because your costs drop, but because your competitive positioning improves.
This is your moment to lead on transparency. Make the arrival experience feel effortless, honest, and welcoming. The fee suspension is the gift; your hospitality is the investment.
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