The highly anticipated Air Sierra Leone aircraft made its inaugural landing at Freetown International Airport in Lungi tonight, marking the beginning of a new era in air travel for Sierra Leone.
This new direct service between Freetown and London is set to operate three times a week, promising to create job opportunities and lower ticket prices compared to competing airlines.
The newly branded Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft with tail number 5N-BZZ is generating considerable excitement as it prepares to officially mark the relaunch of Air Sierra Leone.
With the nation’s vibrant colors of green, white, and blue flag plastered in it, the aircraft has drawn positive reactions from the public. However, industry experts are urging a strong focus on safety and airworthiness as the airline takes flight again.
This safety emphasis comes amid efforts to re-establish a reliable national airline following a complex history of aviation challenges in Sierra Leone.
The country’s previous national carrier was grounded due to operational and safety issues, which experts now say must be avoided at all costs. As such, aviation authorities and the airline’s management are being encouraged to ensure Air Sierra Leone’s operations meet the highest international safety standards.
Originally flown by XE Jet in Nigeria, this ERJ-145 previously experienced an incident on May 11, 2024, while landing at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed Airport during heavy rains. The aircraft skidded off the runway, though fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 49 passengers and three crew members onboard. Nonetheless, this incident has heightened scrutiny over the aircraft’s maintenance history and operational reliability.
As Air Sierra Leone prepares for takeoff, calls are growing for the government and airline management to conduct exhaustive inspections and maintenance checks to verify the aircraft’s compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. A thorough review by the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) will also be essential to ensure the public’s confidence in the revived national carrier.
