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Claim: A Facebook user, Political Socialist Thullah, reports that the much-anticipated Air Sierra Leone aircraft has landed at the Freetown International Lungi Airport and will begin direct flights from Freetown to London three times a week.
Verdict: False. According to Moseray Benjamin, a lead communications official at the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), the aircraft is currently in Nigeria and will not operate direct flights between Freetown and London.
Full Text
Air Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone’s new flag carrier, was officially relaunched under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership. This is a significant milestone for the country, as it aims to enhance connectivity and promote economic growth. Since the announcement of the Air Sierra Leone initiative, excitement has been building among Sierra Leoneans. Many have eagerly awaited the arrival of the new aircraft, hoping it will boost the country’s aviation sector and provide reliable, modern air travel options.
Recently, the aircraft made a successful test flight from South Africa to Nigeria, where its engine and overall functionality were evaluated. It landed safely without any reported issues, a promising sign of the aircraft’s reliability.
The airline will commence operations with regional and international routes on Dec. 2, 2024. Key regional destinations include Accra, Monrovia, Abidjan, Dakar, Conakry, and Banjul. Internationally, it will connect to London Gatwick Airport with thrice-weekly flights.
The airline will use a modern Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft featuring advanced safety and comfort measures, with cabin configurations accommodating up to 189 passengers. It is not a national carrier but a symbol of national pride and aims to strengthen regional and global connectivity while boosting trade, tourism, and employment opportunities. Air Sierra Leone has also emphasised compliance with strict international safety standards under the supervision of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority.
In discussing issues about the airline, a Facebook user, Political Socialist Thullah, reported that Air Sierra Leone had landed and would begin to “run directly from Freetown to London three times in the week.”
So is it true that the new airline is in town and would begin business as reported?
Verification
To verify Thullah’s claims, DUBAWA contacted Moseray Benjamin of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA). Benjamin clarified that while the aircraft mentioned in Thullah’s post is part of Air Sierra Leone’s fleet, its primary routes will be within West and Southern Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, and South Africa. This specific aircraft, a 50-seater, is not designated for flights to London.
Benjamin also explained that Air Sierra Leone does plan to launch flights between Freetown and London in the future.
However, this service will require a different aircraft—a 150-seater currently in London undergoing final preparations, including custom painting and other modifications. While Air Sierra Leone’s fleet expansion is a positive development, Thullah’s Facebook post inaccurately suggests that the aircraft is already in Freetown and ready to operate London-bound flights.
Conclusion
Dubawa contacted Political Socialist Thullah to provide evidence to support his claim that Air Sierra Leone was in Freetown at the time he posted on his Facebook. However, he couldn’t respond to my request. Therefore, Political Socialist Thullah’s claim that the Air Sierra Leone aircraft has landed in Freetown and is set to begin flights to London is inaccurate. The aircraft is currently in Nigeria, awaiting clearance to come to Freetown. Furthermore, it is not the model designated for the Freetown-to-London route, as this service will require a larger aircraft still being prepared in London.
