After 15 years of hiatus, Air Sierra Leone, on Wednesday, successfully made its inaugural flight from Freetown to Lagos.
According to the airline’s authority, the historic flight signifies a new era of connectivity, hope, and progress for Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the ceremony marking the rebirth of the country’s national carrier, the chief executive officer, Air Sierra Leone, Emmanuel Iza, highlighted the significance of the occasion, describing it as the rebirth of a national icon.
“This day is more than just the launch of an airline; it is the rebirth of a national icon,” Iza proclaimed. He continued, “After a 15-year hiatus, the Sierra Leonean flag once again takes to the skies, symbolising hope, progress, and resilience for the nation.”
“Air Sierra Leone was founded with the vision of connecting Sierra Leone to the world, inspiring pride in the nation’s heritage, and creating transformative opportunities.”
“The inaugural flight from Freetown to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos represents the beginning of this ambitious journey,” the CEO stated.
Iza further expressed his deepest gratitude to the Air Sierra Leone team, government officials, aviation authorities, and partners in both countries for their unwavering support in making this dream a reality.
As the airline embarks on this new chapter, Iza assured that Air Sierra Leone is committed to providing world-class service that reflects the warmth and hospitality of the Sierra Leonean people, even if they aim to be an ambassador of Sierra Leone’s culture, values, and aspirations.
Il “Air Sierra Leone is poised to grow, to connect, and to inspire. Together, we will continue to soar higher and achieve greater heights. Together, let us celebrate this incredible milestone and look forward to a future where Air Sierra Leone becomes the pride of our nation and a symbol of our resilience and ambition,” he said.
Also speaking, Air Sierra Leone’s general manager, Edgard Lacle, said XEJET is supplying the aircraft for Air Sierra Leone.
He said, “We have three aircraft that we’ll be using with XEJET. The fleet consists of Embraer 145 aircraft, with a capacity of approximately 50 passengers. The inaugural flight had 36 passengers, showcasing a promising start.
The airline will operate flights three days a week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—between Freetown and Lagos. This route has recently seen increased competition, with a Nigerian airline also commencing flights between Lagos and Freetown twice a week.
When asked about the attraction of this market and how Air Sierra Leone plans to compete, Lacle emphasized the unique value of their product offerings.
“The strong trade connections between Sierra Leone and Nigeria bolster the market’s potential, making Air Sierra Leone’s presence crucial. Trade remains the primary driver of movement between the two countries, with tourism and family connections also playing significant roles.
“If I should put it in percentages, trade is top, tourism is part of it, and of course, the connection. We have family connections between Sierra Leone and Nigeria. A lot of Nigerians have stayed, and most of them are married to Sierra Leoneans,” Lacle noted.
The airline’s decision to use smaller aircraft, such as the Embraer 145, is strategic, ensuring optimal load factors and matching the market’s passenger movement. “It’s very good, and this is why we are using this type of aircraft. It suits the market, it suits the movement of passengers,” Lacle stated, expressing optimism about the airline’s future.
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