By Amin Kef (Ranger)
During the weekly Government Press Conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the 17th September, 2024, high-ranking officials present included the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay; Yankuba Askia Bio, Director General of the Sierra Leone Port and Harbour Authority; Isaac Ken-Green, Acting Director General of the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority; Emmanuel B.A Lansana, Deputy Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Agency and Rev. Smart K. Senesie, Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority.
In his update, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, outlined the Ministry’s strategic vision, highlighting the Ministry’s commitment to improving land, air and sea transportation in Sierra Leone. He noted the successful implementation of land transportation projects, including the introduction of World Bank-funded Waka Fine buses, which he assured have significantly improved passenger mobility across the country.
Alhaji Fanday Turay praised the dedication of his team, pointing out their efforts’ positive impact on the nation’s transport infrastructure. He further highlighted advancements in air transportation, citing a rise in the number of flights operating to and from Sierra Leone and teasing the arrival of new airlines in the near future. In sea transportation, the Minister acknowledged successes but also noted ongoing challenges. He commended the Director General and Executive Director for their contributions to maritime advancements.
Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), presented a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges facing Sierra Leone’s aviation sector, particularly in lifting the country from the European Union’s safety blacklist. The Director General reaffirmed her commitment to revitalizing the aviation sector, focusing on improving safety and security standards.
She provided a historical perspective, noting that since 2008, Sierra Leone has been on the European Union’s safety blacklist, which bars aircraft registered in the country from entering European and UK airspaces. This, she explained, has severely hampered the nation’s aviation industry. Musayeroh Barrie expressed her strong commitment to addressing this issue and restoring Sierra Leone’s aviation standing globally.
One of the Director General’s key objectives is to work with international partners to re-establish direct flights to major markets like the United States and the United Kingdom, a move that could significantly bolster the country’s aviation profile.
“In May, my technical team and I visited Brussels to engage with the EU Safety Commission. While they acknowledged improvements in safety and security, they noted gaps in our capacity to issue Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) and manage an aircraft registry,” Musayeroh Barrie stated.
To address these concerns, the Director General announced a strategic partnership with Italy to provide technical assistance to the SLCAA over the next six to eight months. This collaboration, she intimated, has already yielded tangible results, including the reopening of Sierra Leone’s aircraft registry and the processing of three new AOC applications, the first since 2008.
Musayeroh Barrie emphasized the need to create a more attractive regulatory environment for airlines while ensuring strict adherence to international safety standards. Ongoing negotiations with two airlines, she revealed, are expected to improve Sierra Leone’s connectivity to neighboring countries such as Guinea, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. This will reduce travel times for passengers and facilitate regional trade and movement, she assured.
Furthermore, the Director General highlighted the significant rise in weekly flight operations, from 37 to 47 flights, with the introduction of Ethiopian Airlines. She also noted that Brussels Airlines is set to increase its frequency from three to five times a week by October, bringing the total number of weekly flights to 50.
“This increase in flight frequency represents a major milestone for Sierra Leone’s aviation sector,” she remarked, expressing optimism about the future of air travel in the country.
Despite these positive developments, the Director General acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly concerning the European safety blacklist. She explained that the country still relies on charter flights to access key destinations like the UK, a situation she hopes to improve by increasing the availability of these services during peak travel seasons.
Managing airport operations during busy periods, such as the upcoming Christmas season, presents another challenge she informed stressing the importance of meticulous planning to ensure seamless airport operations and announced a crackdown on travel agencies starting October 1st to enhance airport safety and organization.
Concluding her presentation, Musayeroh Barrie appealed for public patience and cooperation as the SLCAA implements various reforms designed to boost the safety and security of air travel in Sierra Leone.
“Our top priority is public safety and we will continue to implement the necessary measures, even if they involve heightened scrutiny,” she emphasized.
Musayeroh Barrie assured that the Civil Aviation Authority would maintain its focus on improving the overall travel experience for Sierra Leoneans and visitors, making the nation’s aviation sector a safe and reliable option for all.
Other speakers gave insightful updates on their operations in the country.
