The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority SLCAA and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation have reacted to the issues of left baggage for incoming passengers for Royal Air Moroc and Turkish Airlines during the festive season.

Over last few days, hundreds of incoming passengers are forced to disembarked without their baggage, which usually result in unpleasant consequences to both the passengers and the airlines.

In a release issued yesterday, the ministry and SLCAA stated that their attention have been drawn to the issue of left baggage of incoming passengers for Royal Air Moroc and Turkish Airlines on different dates during this festive season.

“The public is hereby informed that the Authority has been in communication with both Airlines to retrieve all baggage and has resolved thus:

i. Royal Air Moroc has chartered a B737-800 cargo aircraft for the transportation of 340 left baggage of passengers inbound for Freetown International Airport (FNA). The chartered cargo flight has been granted a landing permit to operate as a non- scheduled flight and is expected to arrive on 21st December 2022. Passengers are encouraged to check in at Royal Air Moroc Office at 16B Wilkinson Road Freetown at 12:00 PM on the same date.

ii. Turkish Airlines is also bound to arrive at the Freetown International Airport (FNA) on 21st December 2022 with 900 left passenger luggage on a wide-body aircraft. Accordingly, passengers for Turkish Airlines are also encouraged to check in at Sea Coach Aberdeen on the same date at 12:00pm to pick up their luggage,” they stated.

According to the Warsaw convention and Montreal protocol, it is the airlines’ responsibility to carry the passengers and their baggage safely to their agreed destinations.