Gabon tightens travel policy: government to book flights directly with airlines to curb costs and fraud

 In a sweeping move to reinforce fiscal discipline and combat irregularities, the Gabonese government has announced that all official airline ticket purchases for government personnel will now be made directly through airlines rather than travel agencies.

The measure, adopted during the Council of Ministers meeting on June 20, marks a significant policy shift aimed at eliminating additional charges and reducing the risk of fraud linked to third-party bookings.

According to the official communiqué from the session, administrative staff—whether in central or regional offices—will now travel strictly in economy class, while members of the government will fly business class. The only exception will be for Ministers of State, who are permitted to travel in first class.

“Any request for an upgrade beyond these provisions will be considered a personal initiative and will be entirely at the expense of the individual concerned,” the government stated firmly.

The policy is part of a broader strategy to promote transparency and cost efficiency within the administration, reflecting what officials describe as “a commitment to exemplary budgetary discipline in the service of a modest, responsible, and results-driven state.”

By centralizing ticket procurement through airlines, authorities aim to tighten control over state travel spending and ensure better oversight of logistics for public servants.

The announcement signals the government’s intent to cut unnecessary expenditures at a time when fiscal prudence is being prioritized.

The reforms have been welcomed in some circles as a long-overdue effort to modernize government operations and uphold financial accountability.

Whether the policy will face internal resistance from officials accustomed to more lenient travel privileges remains to be seen, but the government’s message is clear: efficiency and integrity now take precedence.