The much-anticipated Air Sierra Leone has arrived and safely landed at the newly modernized Freetown International Airport in Lungi.”

This milestone brings the country one step closer to the commencement of the new national airline, following years of planning and development by the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA).

In preparation for its flight, SLCAA has confirmed that all regulatory checks have been completed and that all necessary documents have been signed and stamped, paving the way for the airline to commence operations.

Earlier this month, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, officially unveiled the return of Air Sierra Leone, with its inaugural flight scheduled for December 2, 2024.

The airline will make its debut with a flight from London’s Gatwick Airport, marking a new era in Sierra Leone’s aviation sector. The six-hour journey will connect London to Freetown, offering passengers a new, direct link between the two cities.

Initially operating under a UK Air Operating Certificate (AOC), Air Sierra Leone plans to transition to a Sierra Leonean AOC in the near future, as part of its long-term strategy to establish a fully independent national carrier.

The airline will launch with a fleet of three aircraft: a 50-seat Embraer and two Boeing 737s with capacities of 149 and 189 passengers, respectively.

The arrival of Air Sierra Leone promises to boost the country’s connectivity, support tourism growth, and enhance international trade links, while also providing Sierra Leoneans with national pride as they witness the revival of their very own airline.