Air Sierra Leone Officially Launches; Plans Fleet with Boeing 737s and ERJ145

Air Sierra Leone, a privately-owned airline, was officially launched in Freetown on October 12, 2024.

The press launch was attended by officials, including Alhaji Fanday Turay, Minister of Transport and Aviation, Sierra Leone; Emmanuel Iza, CEO, Air Sierra Leone Ltd.; and Musayeroh Barrie, Director General, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority.

Operational Plans

Air Sierra Leone is set to commence operations on December 2, 2024, with its inaugural flight between Freetown and London’s Gatwick Airport, with three weekly flights. 

According to CAPA, the airline will operate a fleet of two Boeing 737s (-400 and wet-leased MAX 8) and an Embraer ERJ145 with a 50-seat capacity.

Emmanuel Iza, CEO, Air Sierra Leone Ltd., stated: “Air Sierra Leone is a symbol of national pride and resilience. Our mission is centered on ‘Connecting Sierra Leone with the World.’ We aim to bring the Sierra Leonian national flag back into the skies, run and managed by Sierra Leoneans alongside other experts.”

Safety and Certification

Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), emphasised the strategic importance of the airline’s operations:

“We are using this opportunity to leverage the ambition of removing Sierra Leone from the EU Safety List. Air Sierra Leone will be the first test case for us as a state. We are hopeful that by early next year, following the EU Safety Commission’s assessment, we will pass with flying colors.”

The airline is in the process of securing a Sierra Leonean Air Operator Certificate (AOC), having initially operated with a UK-based certification.

Future Expansion

Air Sierra Leone plans to expand its routes to include Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Senegal, with further expansions expected in the coming years.