Sierra Leone unveils Air Sierra Leone flight after 20-year pause

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On Friday, Oct. 12, 2024, Sierra Leone unveiled its new airline, “Air Sierra Leone,” almost two decades after “Sierra Leone Airlines” ceased operations in 2006.  

During the two decades of break, local and foreign passengers boarded flights controlled by different air transport companies from different countries, including Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and others. 

Flights such as Air-Moroc, Asky, Brussels Airline, and others have been at the centre of Sierra Leone’s airspace, flying nationals and non-nationals from and to the Freetown International Airport, commonly called “Lungi Airport,” located in Lungi Town in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  

Minister of Transport and Aviation unveils “Air Sierra Leone” 

Sierra Leone’s  Minister of Transport and Aviation (MoTA) — Alhaji Fanday Turay, on Friday, Oct 9, 2024, officially unveiled ‘Air Sierra Leone’ in Freetown — Sierra Leone at a well-attended programme. 

The minister unveiled the Boeing Flight 737 and called the development a “big boost for the country’s aviation industry.” 

He disclosed that President Bio in particular has made frantic efforts to revive the country’s air transportation by introducing ‘Air Sierra Leone’ since ‘Sierra Leone Airline’ ceased operations. 

Flight type and capacity 

Air Sierra Leone is a “Boeing” type aircraft with a 50-seater capacity for passengers. The 16-year-old flight is an “Embraer” type flight. 

The agreement signed between Sierra Leone’s Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and the Nigerian–owned airline company based in Nigeria—West Africa—will introduce 3 “Boeing” flights that would be running local air transportation in the country. 

The agreement will also introduce a national flight which will fly to different destinations, including Africa and Europe on different scheduled dates, as noted by the flight’s company CEO. 

History of Sierra Leone Airline 

The West African country had its first airline before its independence from Great Britain in 1961. 

In 1958, Sierra Leone had its first flight in collaboration with its British West African sister nations—Ghana, Nigeria, and The Gambia- in an airline corporation, referred to as the West African Airways Corporation, flying within the four West African countries. Their operations also extend later to other countries, including—London,  Monrovia, and Amsterdam.

Sierra Leone’s airline had experienced numerous breakdowns in operations because of poor management. It permanently ceased full-scale operations in 2006 under the Sierra National Airline.  

According to Ing. Alpha Hassan Woute, 42, the airline was shut down due to the then airport’s poor management.  

Air Sierra Leone’s destinations  

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the government of Sierra Leone and the Nigerian company that will operate the airline, Air Sierra Leone would be flying from London to Freetown and from Freetown to other destinations decided by the management. 

The new airline’s certificate of operations from the agreement states that it will operate under the Operations Certificate of the United Kingdom until Air Sierra Leone obtains its certificate of operations. 

According to the official Facebook page of the country’s aviation ministry, the Air Sierra Leone flight will commence operations fully in December. 

Citizens’ comments regarding the new flight 

Sierra Leoneans have received the news with mixed feelings in the past days. Some people expressed joy at the huge development in the country’s aviation sector, which, according to Facebook has been instrumental in this recent development.

Government’s reaction

The government of Sierra Leone has expressed utmost enthusiasm about the introduction of the new airline. 

The Minister of Information, Communications and Civic Education, Cherne Bah, noted in a 2:39-minute video panel discussion with the airline company’s topman that the government is poised to ensure that citizens get the best services they deserve under President Bio’s leadership. 

Bah asserted that Air Sierra Leone is not a ‘national carrier’ because it is not owned by the state. However, he indicated further that the agreement between the government and the airline company will see Boeing Flight 737 as the nation’s ‘flag carrier’ airline.   

He pledged the government’s support to the airline company for safety and security in the best interest of serving the public and providing a level platform for the airline’s smooth operations.  

The airline’s CEO, Emmanuel Izo, said that the company’s primary effort is to operate extensively in the West Coast region, including Accra and other places. 

He revealed that the flight would kick-start full-scale operations on December 2, 2024. 

The flight’s first trip would be from the Freetown International Airport in Lungi to Gatwick Airport in London.

He further noted that the company will launch two other flights to numerous destinations in the West African region, including Monrovia, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, and  Europe (Gatwick, London). He added that the company will introduce three new aircraft for a start: a 149-seater, an 189-seater, and a 50-seater. 

The CEO assured Sierra Leoneans that their air ticket prices would be much lower than those charged by other airlines operating in the country. 

Air Sierra Leone’s ticket price 

CEO Emmanuel Izu disclosed that Air Sierra Leone’s ticket will be sold for a $999 US dollars return fee, and also throws out promotional tickets for as low as $750 for the first set of passengers to board the airline from Freetown – Gatwick airport, in London, UK. 

In a panel discussion moderated in Freetown by the country’s information minister, Hon. Chernor Bah, he revealed this to the press. 

What are some technical staff at Lungi airport saying?

DUBAWA spoke to Mohamed Kabba—technical staff at the Lungi airport, who described the new airline as a huge feat.

He added that unveiling the new flight will significantly elevate the country’s name.

“The flight will be operated by a private Nigerian company; hence, it is going to be managed properly. However, my fear is the ticket’s cost, but I am sure that the government and the company would negotiate in the best interest of the citizens,” he indicated. 

What are Sierra Leoneans saying?

Mannah Dominic is a resident of Freetown with travel experience; in a random engagement with DUBAWA, he said that the news is a welcoming initiative for the country to own a flight once again. He noted that the flight cost should be properly discussed with the company’s management, stating that if the price is very high, then only foreigners can use the flight to travel to and from Sierra Leone. 

Hassan Alpha Woute, 42, an Engineer resident in Freetown, spoke to DUBAWA and noted that the news is great. He said that the country used to own flights operating local transportation. 

Asked about his knowledge regarding the last time Sierra Leone owned a flight operating internationally, Hassan disclosed that it had been ages since the country had a plane running abroad.

He added that he vividly recalls that, in the 1970s, Sierra Leone had flights operating locally from Bo to Yengema, Kono to Kenema, and from Yengema to Tongo in the South-eastern parts of Sierra Leone.