The newly launched national airline ‘Air Sierra Leone’ has finally started operating and has kicked off on Dec 02, 2024. The inaugural route of the flight connected Freetown to London Gatwick Airport in London, UK. The project is designed under the visionary leadership of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
Reportedly, Sierra Leone continues to make remarkable strides in the aviation sector, attracting foreign investments that have led to the development of an ultra-modern international airport and a notable increase in flight frequencies to 50 per week.
Air Sierra Leone will serve as the flag carrier of the country, that will offer traveling from regional and international flights.
The inaugural flight launched on Dec 02, connects routes from Freetown to key West African cities that includes Abidjan, Accra, Monrovia, Banjul, Dakar and Conakry alongside the direct flights to Gatwick Airport in London.
Flights from Air Sierra Leone will serve for selected routes and schedule. It will operate weekly flights to and from London Gatwick and will provide convenient connections for business travelers, as well as tourists and the Sierra Leonean Diaspora.
As per the schedule, the flights from Freetown to Gatwick will departure on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:40 a.m. whereas, the flights from Gatwick to Freetown will depart on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 p.m.
The flights for London route will be serviced by a Boeing 737 Max 8. It is a modern aircraft less than two years old that ensures safety and comfort for all passengers.
Airline will offer a special promotional fare of $750 for the maiden flight, with regular tickets priced at $999. The three cabin configurations will be available offering the 50, 149 and 189 seats.
Furthermore, by introducing the new flight registration system and the availability of Airline Operating Certificates (AOC), Sierra Leone is taking vital steps towards removing the country from the European aviation blacklist designation, that it holds since 2008.
It will also impact the economy along with creating jobs it will also have a cultural representation. Air Sierra Leone is committed to create employment opportunities for Sierra Leoneans from cabin crew to administrative positions in Freetown.
The airline will also provide training to ensure that its staff meets global standards. Representing culture of Sierra Leonean, the passengers will also be able to enjoy the traditional local cuisine such as cassava leaves and rice during their flights.
Notably, the airline is led by CEO Emmanuel Iza with technical support provided by Xejet Limited which is a Nigerian aviation firm known for its industry expertise.