By Amin Kef (Ranger)
After more than a decade without direct air connectivity, passengers traveling between the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone are set to benefit from a new airline venture. UK-based start-up Zuri Sky Ltd has announced plans to introduce direct flights between London Gatwick and Freetown’s Lungi International Airport by late October 2025, offering a long-awaited alternative to costly and time-consuming layovers.
Despite the announcement, the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has stated that it has not yet received a formal application from Zuri Sky for permission to operate in the country. SLCAA Director-General Musayeroh Barrie confirmed that no official documentation has been submitted to the regulator. Similarly, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the UK slot coordinator, Airport Coordination Limited, have not provided details regarding the airline’s operational status.
According to the UK Companies House registry, Zuri Sky Ltd was incorporated as a private limited company on January 30, 2025. The company is led by Luxembourg-born Mina Nozari, a UK resident who is also a director of VC Global Holdings, an international investment firm. Mina Nozari also heads Zuri Travel Ltd, a travel agency incorporated on February 10, 2025, alongside UK citizen Robert Blick, a veteran in airline operations and a former Honorary Consul and Trade Commissioner of Sierra Leone in the UK.
According to reports from Travel and Tour World and Africa Briefing, Robert Blick has extensive experience in overseeing direct flights between the UK and Sierra Leone and brings decades of expertise in airline operations. Zuri Sky has emphasized its commitment to regulatory compliance, financial sustainability and experienced leadership as it prepares for operations.
To ensure long-term viability, Zuri Sky is focusing on three key pillars:
- Regulatory Compliance – Flights will only be launched after full approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
- Financial Stability – The airline is backed by European investors, providing strong financial support for sustained operations.
- Industry Expertise – With Blick’s leadership and experience in Sierra Leone’s aviation and business sectors, the airline aims to establish itself as a reliable carrier on the route.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to significantly benefit Sierra Leone’s tourism sector, trade and diaspora relations. By eliminating layovers in cities such as Brussels, Casablanca or Istanbul, Zuri Sky aims to streamline travel for business professionals, investors and holidaymakers. The route’s return will cut travel time from over 11 hours to just six, making Sierra Leone more accessible to UK-based travelers.
Initially, Zuri Sky plans to operate one weekly flight using chartered aircraft, with the potential to expand frequency and introduce direct flights from the United States in the future. However, long-term success will depend on passenger demand, financial resilience and operational efficiency.
In a related development, SLCAA Director-General Musayeroh Barrie confirmed that Sierra Leone’s national airline, Air Sierra Leone (ASL), is also working towards launching direct flights between Freetown and London Gatwick. ASL, which has secured regulatory approvals in both the UK and Sierra Leone, plans to operate the route through a partnership with Ascend Airways using a Boeing 737-8 aircraft. While the charters were initially scheduled for December 2024, regulatory processes delayed ticket sales. ASL is currently in the final stages of obtaining its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), which is expected to be issued by April 2025.
The SLCAA views ASL’s certification as a critical test case to showcase Sierra Leone’s compliance with international aviation safety standards. If successful, this could pave the way for the country’s removal from the UK and EU air safety watch lists.
With both Zuri Sky and Air Sierra Leone positioning themselves to offer direct flights between London and Freetown, passengers can look forward to increased travel options, greater convenience and enhanced economic ties between the two nations. If successful, these efforts could mark the beginning of a sustainable, long-term air link that benefits businesses, tourism, and the Sierra Leonean diaspora for years to come
