Sierra Leone Gets New Ultra-Modern Airport; As President Bio Commissions The Freetown International Airport

When His Excellency the President, Brig. (Retd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio promised to revamp the Aviation sector at the state opening of Parliament in 2018, but not many took it as a serious promise. True to that promise, The Sierra Leone President on Friday 3^rd of March 2023 amidst a plethora of improvements in the aviation sector, commissioned the New Freetown International Airport. 

Without any doubt, the ultra-modern Freetown International is one that is capable of competing head to head with any international airport facilities across the globe and can stand the reputation of a reliable, safe, efficient, and affordable hub for aviation activities within the sub-region and Africa in general.  

His Excellency President Maada Bio of Sierra Leone at the commissioning of the new Freetown International Airport re-emphasized that mindset, attitude and hard work are key factors responsible for the reality of delivering his government promises; while thanking the SUMMA Group, for their support, he described the implementation of the new airport as a new dawn in the aviation industry in Sierra Leone.

While stressing that “the commission of the airport also signifies that Sierra Leone has become a conducive destination for Foreign Direct Investment within the sub-region.” 

In reaction, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hon. Kabineh Kallon, in his statement, maintained that one of the most ambitious manifesto promises of President Bio has come to fruition. He stated that the New Ultra-Modern Freetown International Airport is also part of the State response to the connectivity issue in the context of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), and the broader African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

On one hand, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio, thanked President Bio for making the aviation industry a national priority. In fulfillment of the New Direction Manifesto; stating “you have done it in your usual TALK and DO fashion”.

Dr. Baio also sighted the collective support of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, ICAO, IATA, the Board of Airline Representatives, and all other aviation stakeholders, describing it as a true demonstration of the No Country Left Behind initiative”. 

In furtherance, the Vice President of SUMMA, Fatih BORA, recalled that when they signed the agreement in 2020, most people were skeptical about the completion of the airport. While revealing that they were able to do all this work within 16 months. He stated that the New Freetown International Airport is the most sustainable airport within the sub-region with a solar farm generating 1.8mw electricity. He thanked his team for their commitment and effort in ensuring the work was completed in record time. 

The New Freetown International Airport is equipped with an array of facilities which include but are not limited to a Presidential Lounge, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, a Cargo Terminal, a Taxiway of 2,300m, an Ultra-modern Passenger Terminal, servicing 1.2m passengers a year and with 4 Passenger Boarding Bridges, Parking lot with space for more than 200 vehicles, New Ground Handling and Management Building, Passenger Terminal Apron, Runway pavement of about 3,200m, Solar Farm that generates 1.8mw electricity, Air Traffic Control Tower of about 38m high and Commercial Zones.