Air Sierra Leone has announced a significant expansion of its route network with the launch of new international and regional services linking The Gambia, Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom, as the airline marks its first anniversary of flight operations.
From February, the carrier will begin direct flights between Banjul International Airport and London Gatwick, establishing year-round connectivity between The Gambia and the UK. At the same time, Air Sierra Leone will introduce a new regional service connecting Freetown and Banjul, improving travel convenience and strengthening links within West Africa.
The expansion underscores the airline’s strategy to position itself as a growing West African connector, supporting tourism, trade and cultural exchange across the sub-region and beyond. Group Chief Operating Officer of XE Jet Limited, Air Sierra Leone’s technical partner, Sukhjinder Mann, said the new routes reflect the airline’s focus on sustainable growth, customer satisfaction and regional integration.
According to Mann, the Banjul–London service will significantly reduce travel time between West Africa and the UK while offering passengers reliable, year-round access between the two markets. He added that the Freetown–Banjul route will further enhance intra-regional mobility, making travel between Sierra Leone and The Gambia faster and more efficient.
The airline also noted that the new schedule builds on its existing operations linking London and Lagos via Freetown, which have been in place since September 2025. With the new services, passengers travelling from London will be able to connect seamlessly to Lagos through Freetown and continue onward to Banjul, offering an alternative routing to established European and Middle Eastern hubs.
Mann expressed appreciation to the governments of The Gambia and the United Kingdom for supporting the airline’s expansion plans, noting that regulatory alignment and adherence to international safety standards remain central to Air Sierra Leone’s long-term vision.
Introduced by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Transport in October 2024, Air Sierra Leone commenced initial operations in December 2024, with full commercial services on key international routes beginning in June 2025. Since then, the airline says it has recorded steady growth and increasing passenger confidence.
Industry observers say the addition of direct UK and regional routes is a notable boost for West Africa’s aviation landscape, enhancing connectivity, stimulating passenger traffic and reinforcing Banjul and Freetown as emerging transit points. Air Sierra Leone says it plans to continue expanding its network in the coming months, offering passengers seamless connections, improved travel options and the hospitality the airline is building its brand around.
