Hundreds of baggage belonging to passengers arriving in Sierra Leone for the holidays have been left behind at the Lungi International Airport.

Over last few days, disembarking passengers are forced to go home without their baggage, which usually result in unpleasant consequences to both the passengers and the airlines.

“This is really bad. Imagine someone has traveled for almost two weeks now and the person hasn’t received her luggages. Turkish Airline why nah,” Ibrahim Sillah bemoaned.

“This is a trademark of Air Moroc and Turkish airlines. Sad….imagine those getting married and still haven’t received their luggage with their stuff,” Josephine Maame Shiaka stated.

“This is a result of poor airline management and the Casablanca airport on which they transit. The lungi airport absolutely has no fault in this,” Sorie Kabba noted.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation 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 Authorities noted that they have been in communication with both Airlines to retrieve all baggage at their various destinations in Freetown.

“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.

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