Sierra Leone Binds Air Service Agreements And MOUs With More Countries

Sierra Leone delegation at the 5th ICAO Air Service Negotiation (ICAN2023) led by the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Fanday Turay, and the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Musayeroh Barrie signed another significant bilateral air service agreement between Sierra Leone and other countries with the likes of Ethiopia, Czech Republic.

The signings were done after the historic signing with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the ICAN 2023.

The five-day event provides States, either on-site or participating remotely, with a central meeting place to conduct bilateral, regional, or plurilateral air services negotiations and consultations, as well as networking opportunities for policymakers, regulators, air operators, service providers, and other stakeholders, came to an end on 7th December 2023.

This historical air service agreement with Ethiopia is a significant boost to the aviation sector which is geared towards the finalization of the process for Ethiopian Airlines to operate its first commercial flight from Sierra Leone. This tie does not only propose trade, and fruitful collaboration between the sister countries but also hopes to explore national and international potentials for both countries.

The bilateral agreement with the Czech Republic is a significant one as the parties hope to concrete steps to actualize the much-needed socio-economic benefits that the letters and spirits of this Agreement envisage.

The Signing of the MOU between Sierra Leone and Italy, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, and Sierra Leone and Switzerland, Sierra Leone, and Cape Verde propelled Bilateral Relationships with sister countries, especially in the Air Transport sector for socio-economic cooperation, this is an indication that the Ministry of Transport and Aviation is ready and willing through the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority to grant Fifth Freedom Rights to Friends who wish to use the new Freetown International Airport (FNA) as a hub or a destination as to increased tourism potential, collaboration and trade.