Members of Parliament have described as 'extremely exorbitant' airfares charged by flight companies and called for its immediate reduction.
�The prices charged by flight companies are extremely exorbitant compared to our countries, they said.
They, however, threatened to impose sanctions on flight companies that failed to reduce their air fares or invite them to appear before the house to explain the reasons for the hikes in air fares.
Presenting a statement before the floor of the house, Hackman Owusu Agyemang said air fares had become a serious problem that needed to be addressed by the government.
Air fares that are charged in Ghana compared to those paid in Europe are again out of this world. While one can travel from London to New York, a seven-hour flight, and pay as little as US$400, a flight from Accra to Freetown, of a duration two hours, costs US$480, and an air journey to Abidjan from Accra, of less than one hour, costs US$480.�
Akua Sena Dansua, (NDC-North Dayi), said the air fares charged by flight companies could have negative effects on tourism and the economy if not addressed by government.
She said air fares charged in other countries by the same flight companies were too expensive compared to that of Ghana and urged stakeholders in the aviation industry to take a critical look at the issue.
Ms Dansua suggested the invitation of flight companies to appear before the house to explain reasons behind the high fares.
Albert Kan-Dapaah (NPP-Afigya-Sekyere West) said flight companies had no reason to charge such fares, adding, �Even when there were very few flight companies in the countries, air fares were not that expensive�.
He said there were many flight companies operating in the country and were all being patronized by Ghanaians and other nationals and noted, therefore, that the shortage of passengers cited by flight companies as the reasons for the price hikes was not accurate.
�What is happening in the aviation industry is totally unacceptable,� he said and called on government to take the appropriate measures to address the problem.
The Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the Deputy Majority Leader, Rashid Pelpuo also supported the call by the MPs for a drastic reduction of air fares.
They called on the Minister of Transport to meet with all stakeholders in the aviation industry and to ensure that the cost of travelling by air in and out of the country was reduced drastically.
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