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The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has issued an urgent advisory warning of hazardous weather conditions affecting the country’s airspace due to the onset of the Harmattan season.
In a press release dated December 10, 2025, the Authority announced the issuance of Advisory Circular (AC) – SLCAA-AC-ANS041-Rev. 00, mandating stricter safety protocols for all aviation stakeholders, including commercial airlines, flight crews, and air traffic service providers.
To mitigate risks associated with poor visibility and dust haze, the SLCAA has outlined specific requirements for industry operators:
Pilots are instructed to avoid operations below minimum visibility thresholds and must operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) during periods of low visibility. They are also required to obtain updated weather briefings from the meteorological service prior to any flight operations.
Airlines must conduct refresher training for crews on low-visibility operations and utilize Harmattan case studies for decision-making.
Aerodrome Operators are tasked with ensuring that all runway lighting, markings, and signage remain clearly visible. They must also increase the frequency of runway inspections.
Meteorological Services have been directed to provide timely weather updates and issue specific hazard warnings regarding dust haze.
The Authority emphasized that these measures are critical to maintaining a safe and efficient civil aviation system in Sierra Leone and warned that full compliance with Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Regulations (SLCARs) is expected at all times.
