Air Sierra Leone, the country's commercial airline, has officially launched its flight services from Freetown to Lagos, Nigeria's largest commercial hub, aiming to connect with one of Africa's major markets. Additionally, the airline has entered into a technical partnership with Xejet, a domestic carrier in Nigeria, which will supply aircraft for its operations.

The inaugural flight to Lagos took place on Wednesday, achieving a passenger load factor of 36 on its 50-seat E145 aircraft.

During the inaugural ceremony at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Edgard Lacle, General Manager of Air Sierra Leone, announced that the airline will operate three flights per week to Lagos, scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

“We will be using the E145 aircraft, which has about 50 passenger seat capacity. There are about 36 passengers on this inaugural flight. We have our products and we are interested in pushing our products which is quite different from any other products out there,” Lacle said.

The speaker highlighted the strong trade relationship between Sierra Leone and Nigeria, emphasizing the significant appeal of the Nigerian market. 

Additionally, during the event, Emmanuel Iza, CEO of Xejet, reflected on Air Sierra Leone's inaugural flight, noting it as a testament to the strength of dreams, determination, and the united efforts of the nation.

“This day is more than just the launch of an airline; it is the rebirth of a national icon. After over 15 years, the Sierra Leonean flag again takes to the skies, a beacon of hope, progress, and resilience for our beloved nation”