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The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) is actively pursuing a path to regain access to European Union airspace, Sierraloaded has learnt.
In December 2024, the updated European Union (EU) aviation blacklist extended the ban on Sierra Leone and many other countries who are prohibited from operating in its airspace.
The list includes all airlines under the regulatory oversight of the SLCAA, placing them among 129 carriers worldwide deemed unsafe for European skies. This list features a significant number of African airlines, with 55 carriers from 11 African nations, including Sierra Leone, facing the restriction.
The ban arrives shortly after the October 2024 launch of Air Sierra Leone, which had ambitious plans for regional and international flights, including services to London. While the airline initially intended to operate with a UK Air Operating Certificate (AOC) for its UK routes while working towards a Sierra Leonean AOC, the continued blanket ban on SLCAA-certified carriers casts doubt on its immediate operational capabilities within Europe.
To address this problem, the SLCAA has officially launched Phase 4 of its Assistance Mission, a collaborative effort with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the West African Civil Aviation Safety and Security Agency (WACAF). This critical phase focuses on advancing the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) certification process, building upon three previously completed phases.
A team of technical experts from AFCAC and WACAF is currently on the ground, working alongside SLCAA officials to assess and enhance the Authority’s certification procedures. The joint mission aims to ensure SLCAA’s full compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit standards and regulations. The focus of this phase is on reinforcing SLCAA’s internal processes, specifically Corrective Elements 4 through 8 (CE4-CE8), to meet stringent ICAO requirements and bolster the safety and regulatory compliance of Sierra Leone’s aviation sector.
This initiative includes crucial on-the-job training for SLCAA’s safety inspectors, equipping them with the necessary technical expertise to conduct high-level safety inspections according to international standards. Achieving excellence in Certification and Continued Oversight (CE6) is a key priority, ensuring that aviation operations within Sierra Leone consistently meet global safety benchmarks.
The SLCAA, under the leadership of Director General Musayeroh Barrie, has been actively engaging with the EU Safety Commission. Since taking office last year, Barrie has spearheaded two significant meetings that resulted in an agreed roadmap aimed at lifting the ban by 2025.
In the interim, Air Sierra Leone is strategically planning its operations to navigate the EU ban. The airline intends to utilize a Nigerian AOC for regional routes and its previously mentioned UK-issued AOC for flights to the United Kingdom, ensuring compliance with international regulations while the SLCAA works towards the removal of the blacklist designation.
The implementation of the agreed roadmap requires strict adherence to safety and operational standards to satisfy EU requirements.
Despite the ongoing ban, stakeholders remain optimistic that the concerted efforts of the SLCAA, in collaboration with regional and international bodies, will lead to Sierra Leone’s removal from the EU Air Safety List and the restoration of its reputation within the international aviation community.
