No flights, big fallout: The impact of Air Sierra Leone’s shutdown

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Mohamed Dauda kamara

Sierra Leone’s Struggle for Aviation

Since the collapse of Sierra Leone Airways in the early 2000s, the nation has relied entirely on foreign carriers for international travel. This left Sierra Leoneans facing higher costs, limited routes, and reduced visibility on the global aviation map. The absence of a homegrown airline was often cited as a symbol of the country’s infrastructural challenges.

Beyond just an absence of an Airline, Sierra Leone’s aviation industry has been facing a long-standing European Union safety ban since 2008. The EU backlist barred all airlines certified in Sierra Leone from operating in the EU airspace due to “significant safety concerns and inadequate regulatory oversight” by the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority.

Before now, the aviation industry had been marred by poor airport infrastructure, technical expertise, and the ability to effectively process Air Operator Certificates (AOCs).

The Comeback of Sierra Leone’s Aviation Industry

In 2024, the Sierra Leonean government announced plans to revive a national carrier. This, as viewed by many Sierra Leoneans, was more like a comeback, resuscitating the dying aviation industry.

By mid-2025, Air Sierra Leone began commercial operations, starting with flights from Freetown to London Gatwick and regional routes to Lagos and Banjul. 

The airline operated three times a week with an Embraer ERJ-145 to link regional economies. The network connected to Banjul (The Gambia) and includes plans for Accra, Dakar, and Conakry.

The airline currently operates with a modest fleet of two aircraft but boasts a 95% on-time performance record, aiming to build trust among passengers.

In January 2026, the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) published that the country’s total passenger movement rose from 250,606 to 268,929 in 2025. There was a 7% increase in the number of passengers, amounting to 18,323 passengers.

Who owned Air Sierra Leone?

Air Sierra Leone was launched as a privately owned airline operating as the country’s flag carrier. The airline partners with Nigeria’s Xejet with the objective of bridging a 15-year gap in direct national aviation.

Air Sierra Leone operates as a locally registered subsidiary of its Nigerian parent. Regional flights operate on Xejet’s AOC. 

The Temporary suspension: What really happened?

On April 29, 2026, Air Sierra Leone issued a statement temporarily suspending its flight operations due to bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings against its aircraft provider, Ascend Airways. This news caught everyone by surprise, with a growing fear of economic repercussions for the country. The bankruptcy of Ascend Airways, a UK-based air carrier, affects Air Sierra Leone because the airline depends entirely on leased aircraft and does not own its own fleet. 

Although Air Sierra Leone promised to find another flight provider, its uncertainty around when it would resume operations remains troubling. Beyond the statement issued by the airline, other airlines, such as Orman Air and Tui Airways, were affected by Ascend Airways’ bankruptcy but resumed operations days later.

According to the Daily Express, Ascend’s bankruptcy cannot collapse the airlines it was operating on their behalf, and so this begs the question: did Air Sierra Leone go down with them?

For many Sierra Leoneans, this has been a question begging for answers.

Tourism: A sudden blow

The temporary suspension is set to affect the country’s growing tourism sector because the introduction of direct flights to the UK had been seen as a breakthrough, with expectations of rising visitor numbers, particularly from British tourists. Now, that progress is at risk. When there’s no direct flight to the UK, travel to Sierra Leone becomes longer and more expensive, tour operators may scale back offerings, and potential visitors may choose easier destinations. 

For Sierra Leone, losing a key international route even temporarily could translate into fewer arrivals, lower hotel occupancy, and reduced revenue across the tourism chain.  

The Economy: What’s expected?

For economic growth, air transport is a key enabler. Even a temporary suspension can be detrimental to any country’s economy. The temporary suspension of Air Sierra Leone can affect international business travels, weaken trade links, and increase logistics.

Studies have shown that disruptions in aviation can reduce exports, delay supply chains, and lead to significant economic losses, especially in developing economies dependent on air transport. 

Jobs at risk

The suspension has also put several jobs at risk. For instance, Ascend Airways’ collapse has already placed more than 160 jobs at risk. For Sierra Leone, the impact extends further: airline staff face uncertainty, airport workers may see reduced hours, and travel agencies may lose business. 

Global instances have shown that airline collapses can leave thousands unemployed overnight and disrupt entire service sectors tied to travel. 

Passenger disruption

With the temporary suspension, the most visible impact is on passengers. Hundreds of travellers were affected by the sudden cancellations, with flights on routes including London, Banjul, and Lagos halted.  

Although Air Sierra Leone promised to make refunds, airline shutdowns often create complications, such as delays in refunds, expensiveness of flights, and disruption in travel plans, especially for businesses and family visits. For a country with limited airline options, rebooking can be particularly challenging.  

What’s Next?

Air Sierra Leone revealed on May 5, 2026, that they are in advanced talks with six airline suppliers to resume their operations. If this goes as planned, the country’s aviation industry is set to breathe life again. A swift recovery could minimise long-term damage, but delays could deepen the economic and reputational impact, and potentially threaten the airline’s future altogether.