By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), in collaboration with key stakeholders across the airport community and the Presidential Hajj Task Force, has convened a strategic engagement meeting aimed at strengthening preparedness for the 2026 Hajj operations.
The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure a smooth, safe, secure and efficient travel experience for Sierra Leonean pilgrims travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
Discussions during the engagement focused on key operational areas, including coordination among stakeholders, passenger facilitation, safety and security procedures, as well as compliance with international aviation standards and recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Speaking during the engagement, officials of the SLCAA reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, safety oversight and operational excellence throughout the Hajj travel period.
As part of the preparations, inspection exercises were conducted at the designated pilgrims’ holding centre to assess the level of operational readiness ahead of the departure process. The inspection team reviewed passenger processing arrangements, crowd management systems, safety and security measures, and general facilitation procedures aimed at ensuring seamless airport operations for pilgrims.
In a related development, members of the SLCAA Board undertook an inspection tour of key airport facilities to gain firsthand insight into ongoing airport operations and service delivery mechanisms. The visit provided Board members with the opportunity to engage operational teams and evaluate preparedness measures being implemented across the airport environment.
The SLCAA reiterated its commitment to working closely with all relevant partners and stakeholders to ensure that the 2026 Hajj operations are conducted in line with international best practices, with particular emphasis placed on the safety, comfort and convenience of all pilgrims.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 11th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
