Sierra Leone’s aviation industry is poised for a major breakthrough, as the country works to be removed from the global aviation blacklist, where it has been since 2008. Speaking at the weekly Ministry of information and Civic Education on Tuesday 17th September 2024, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Musayeroh Barrie, reassured the public that the country is on track to rectify this long-standing issue within an eight-month roadmap, signalling that Sierra Leone is entering a new era of aviation reform.
“For the first time since 2008, Sierra Leone will have airline registered within its borders. We are currently processing two applications for Air Operating Certificates (AOC), which will enable the country to operate its own registered aircraft,” DG Barrie stated. This milestone is particularly important as it symbolizes Sierra Leone’s commitment to regaining its standing in the international aviation community after years of restricted operations due to safety and regulatory concerns.
Since being placed on the blacklist, Sierra Leone has struggled with international isolation in aviation, limiting the number of airlines willing to operate in and out of the country, leading to rising costs of ticket and passenger apathy. According to Musayeroh Barrie, her administration has been proactive in implementing reforms to address the safety, security, and regulatory deficiencies that led to the blacklisting. She emphasized that the eight-month roadmap, which involves overhauling aviation policies, infrastructure improvements, and meeting international safety standards, is the culmination of years of behind-the-scenes efforts by the SLCAA.
Barrie expressed optimism that the country’s delisting will mark a new chapter for Sierra Leone’s aviation sector. “We are in close collaboration with international aviation bodies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to ensure that our progress is both verifiable and sustainable,” she noted.
In addition to addressing the blacklist, the Civil Aviation Authority is focused on improving Sierra Leone’s regional air connectivity. DG Barrie revealed that the SLCAA has been actively engaging with two airlines to establish routes connecting Sierra Leone to Liberia, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and other neighboring countries.
These new connections are expected to facilitate regional trade and travel, significantly boosting Sierra Leone’s economic integration with West Africa. “Enhancing regional connectivity is a key priority for us, as it will not only support economic growth but also position Sierra Leone as a regional hub for aviation,” Barrie emphasized.
As part of the broader improvements in the aviation sector, Barrie also announced a substantial increase in flight frequency at Lungi International Airport. The airport has already seen its weekly flights rise from 37 to 47, and this number is expected to grow further in the near future. She revealed that Brussels Airlines, a key operator at Lungi, is planning to increase its frequency of flights, which will bring the airport’s total flight count to 50 flights per week.
“This increase in flight frequency is a clear indication that confidence is returning to Sierra Leone’s aviation sector,” DG Barrie said, adding that the rise in air traffic is a result of efforts to modernize airport facilities, streamline services, and improve regulatory oversight, making the Freetown International Airport more attractive to international airlines.
DG Barrie’s announcement comes as part of a broader strategy to develop Sierra Leone’s aviation sector into a key driver of economic growth. By focusing on both infrastructure development and compliance with international safety standards, the SLCAA is working to ensure that the country’s aviation industry remains sustainable in the long term.
“The SLCAA is not only working to get Sierra Leone off the blacklist but to build a robust, modern aviation sector that will serve as a pillar for the country’s economic development,” Barrie concluded.
As Sierra Leone approaches the completion of its eight-month roadmap, the future of aviation looks brighter than ever. With the promise of national aircraft registration, enhanced regional connectivity, and increased flight operations, the country is ready to take off into a new era of progress and growth.