Sierra Leone gains direct Gatwick link
A new airline, which will provide the only current direct route from the UK to the African destination, will be a talking point for Sierra Leone at WTM London this year
Air Sierra Leone, a new flag carrier airline for Sierra Leone, is set to make its maiden flight on Monday 2 December 2024, enabling travellers to fly to Freetown from Gatwick and key African destinations, including Accra and Dakar. The airline will fill a much-needed gap in Sierra Leone’s aviation space, playing a pivotal role in the promotion of tourism to Sierra Leone.
From December 2024, thrice-weekly flights will depart from Freetown Lungi to Gatwick – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – and from Gatwick to Freetown – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The six-hour journey will be undertaken in Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with fares priced at approximately $999pp each way.
There has been substantial infrastructure development in Sierra Leone in the past decade, including the opening of a new international airport terminal in March 2023, paving the way to attract visitors and increase tourist footfall, drawn by the destination’s sandy beaches, wildlife, culture and history.
Minister of transport and aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, said: “Plans for the new airline have been in the pipeline for many years, and we are now truly excited to share our progress with the world. We hope that the new routes will provide increased numbers of visitors with the chance to experience Sierra Leone’s renowned hospitality and wealth of cultural, natural and historic assets, first-hand.”
He added that it was also part of the plan to develop additional routes linking Sierra Leone with the USA in 2025.
Nabeela Farida Tunis, minister of tourism and cultural affairs, added: “We anticipate that the new airline will help to boost visitor footfall to Sierra Leone. This is a big moment in our country’s tourism development, as Air Sierra Leone will offer international visitors easier access and better flight connectivity to this emerging destination, all for a more affordable price. This is an exciting tourism prospect for Sierra Leone.”
The airline has said it is committed to training its crew to meet international standards whilst also remaining authentically Sierra Leonean through the serving of classic local dishes on aircraft menus.
AT WTM: Meet with the Sierra Leone Tourist Board at stand S10-528
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