Gatwick regains Sierra Leone air link after more than a decade

UK carrier Ascend Airways will re-establish an air link between London and Sierra Leone from next month after a gap of more than a decade.

Flights between Gatwick as the west African country’s capital Freetown are to run three times a week from June 16.

The last time the two destinations were connected with direct flights was in 2012.

Ascend will be operating the route on behalf of Air Sierra Leone using the company’s newest Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, which was added to the airline’s fleet this year.

Flights on this route will be operated by Ascend Airways-trained cockpit and cabin crew. Ascend Airways is also responsible for all maintenance procedures of the aircraft operating the Gatwick-Freetown flights.

An initial service took place last weekend to coincide with Sierra Leone’s independence day.

“This new route reconnects Sierra Leone with the UK, opening vital opportunities for tourism, business, and economic development between the two countries,” a spokesperson said.

Ascend Airways UK is a subsidiary of Ireland-based ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) provider Avia Solutions Group.

The carrier was acquired in 2023 by Avia, which operates a fleet of 221 aircraft on six continents.

Ascend Airways chief executive Alastair Willson said: “It is a true honour to have operated the historic London Gatwick to Freetown flight on behalf of Air Sierra Leone. 

“It took months of hard work to set this connection up, and we are looking forward to operating this much-needed route during the summer and winter season.”