Sierra Leone’s new privately owned flag carrier, Air Sierra Leone, is set to commence commercial operations between Freetown and London Gatwick in early June 2025. The airline will operate the route using a Boeing 737-8 leased from Ascend Airways, marking a major step in enhancing air connectivity for the West African nation.
According to CEO Emmanuel Iza, a special inaugural flight for VIPs is planned for April 27 to commemorate Sierra Leone’s Independence Day. Sales for the thrice-weekly commercial flights are expected to open soon, aligning with the UK-Sierra Leone market’s seasonal demand, which peaks from June to August.
This development follows regulatory approvals from both the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone authorities, as confirmed by Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) Director-General Musayeroh Barrie. Initially, charter operations with G-WEAH (msn 43340) were planned for December 2024 but were delayed due to regulatory requirements for Air Sierra Leone to sell tickets on the UK route.
Currently operating as a virtual carrier, Air Sierra Leone is in the final phase of obtaining its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). The SLCAA anticipates issuing the AOC by April 2025, allowing the airline to transition from its current charter agreement with Ascend Airways into a full wet lease.
Air Sierra Leone is a registered subsidiary of Nigeria’s Xejet and currently operates regional flights between Freetown and Lagos with an Embraer E145, 5N-BZZ, chartered from its Nigerian parent company. Once certified, Xejet plans to sell the E145 to Air Sierra Leone and source two Boeing 737s for the carrier.
Sierra Leonean-flagged carriers are currently banned from operating flights to the UK and the European Union due to aviation safety concerns. However, the SLCAA is positioning Air Sierra Leone’s certification as a test case to prove the country’s improved safety standards. The ultimate goal is to remove Sierra Leone from the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) blacklist by the second half of 2025. Following the airline’s certification, the EU Safety Commission is expected to conduct an on-site audit of the SLCAA.
To support this effort, Italy’s civil aviation authority (ENAC) has been providing technical assistance to the SLCAA under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2024.
Meanwhile, Air Sierra Leone has appointed aviation expert Obi Mbanuzuo as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mbanuzuo brings extensive leadership experience from Dana Air, Virgin Nigeria, and Virgin Atlantic International. His role will focus on operational planning, safety compliance, and commercial strategy as the airline prepares for its highly anticipated launch.
