Transport Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay, Information Minister C Bah and others just after the official launch
The official launch of Sierra Leone’s airline, Air Sierra Leone at a press conference on Saturday 12th December, 2024 has been greeted with excitement by most Sierra Leoneans who wasted no time in describing it as a game changer in the aviation industry in the country.
The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, who did the official launch told newsmen that Air Sierra Leone is slated to have its inaugural flight on 2nd December this year flying from London Gatwick to Freetown international airport. The announcement comes following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of The Republic of Sierra Leone and Lagos-based Xejet Aviation Limited.
A press release from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, which announced the launch, states that under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone has made significant strides in the aviation sector, attracting foreign investments that have led to the development of an ultra-modern international airport, new airlines, an increase in flight frequencies to 50 per week. There are high expectations that the launch of the country’s air line would further increase the flight frequences to Sierra Leone.
According to the online Sierra Loaded news portal, Air Sierra Leone is not necessarily a national carrier, but a flag carrier airline operating regionally and internationally but based in Sierra Leone. It added that in addition to international flights such as to London Gatwick, the flight would have regional routes: Abidjan, Accra, Monrovia, Banjul, Dakar, and Conakry to start with.
♦ Flight Routes and Schedule
Flights will be scheduled three times a week:
- From Freetown to Gatwick on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 10:40 AM.
- From Gatwick to Freetown on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10 PM.
♦ Aircraft Capacity and Ticket Prices
The Boeing 737 Max 8 will serve the London route, the aircraft is approximately 1.6 years old. Ticket cost is $999 with a promo offer of $750 on a first come first serve basis. It will be a 6-hour flight.
Air Sierra Leone will operate three flights featuring three configurations: 50-seater, 149-seater, and 189-seater.
♦ Regulatory Advances
Sierra Leone has opened its flight registration system and is now offering an airline operating Certificate (AOC). This initiative is a significant step towards removing Sierra Leone from the European blacklist, a status held since 2008.
♦ Job Creation and Local Cuisine
Air Sierra Leone aims to create jobs for Sierra Leoneans, including positions for Air Stewardesses and administrative staff in Freetown. Training will be provided for cabin crew to meet global standards, and the airline plans to offer local cuisine, including Cassava leaves and Rice, onboard.
♦ Leadership and Support
Emmanuel Iza serves as the CEO of Air Sierra Leone, with technical support provided by Xejet Limited in Nigeria.
♦ Ticket Availability for Maiden Flight Tickets for Air Sierra Leone flights will be available for purchase starting October 18, 2024.
The Sierra Leone government has stated that the airline will operate with a “UK Air Operating Certificate (AOC) while working towards securing a Sierra Leonean AOC.”
However, according to Sierra Loaded news, some locals in the West African nation have received the news with mixed feelings -that longing for a national carrier after the collapse of Fly Salone and the fact that it is a private venture.
This realisation manifested on Friday 11th October, 2024, according to Sierra Leone Loaded, when the MOU signed between the GoSL and the Lagos-based Xejet Aviation Limited pointed out that the company will operate regional and international flights from Freetown while establishing a national carrier for the country. Air Sierra Leone will boast of a fleet of three aircraft —a 50-seat Embraer and two Boeing 737s with 189 and 149 capacities.
The Liberian Aviation authority is currently evaluating Air Sierra Leone’s readiness and compliance with Liberian aviation regulations. The proposed services from Air Sierra Leone Limited are expected to enhance connectivity between the two nations, promoting trade, tourism, and economic development.
Sierra Leone has a history of national airlines dating back to 1958 when Sierra Leone Airways was formed. Over the years, the country has experienced various attempts to establish a successful national carrier, including Sierra National Airlines, which operated from 2004 to 2006 before ceasing operations due to financial difficulties.
The launch of Air Sierra Leone marks a significant milestone for the country as it strives to strengthen its aviation sector and improve regional and international connectivity.
What makes the news of the imminent arrival of Air Sierra Leone to the air space even more exciting music in the ears of Sierra Leoneans is its very competitive air ticket prices as low as US$999 Freetown-London Gatwick return bringing it down further to US$750 if you buy early, and of course the prospect of having direct flights from Freetown to many regional and international destinations. This is like brining it down to the level it was before COVID 19.
“If this new airline is allowed to operate well under the above terms and conditions, it would make Sierra Leone to be an attractive destination for air travel not only for Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad, but also, and perhaps more importantly for tourists, investors, and businessmen; this would be a big win for the country’s aviation, international trade, and tourism, and by extension, its economy’, said an international businessman who prefers anonymity.
“This would be a big relief for frequent travellers who have been subjected to paying high air ticket prices to the tune of between 2000 and 3,000 US dollars just to travel to European and American destinations from Sierra Leone. The competition that Air Sierra Leone would bring would most likely force the other airlines plying the Sierra Leone route to reduce their prices,” said Aminata Kamara, a business woman and regular traveller to Europe and the US.