The newly commissioned ultra-modern Freetown International Airport last Saturday 25th March, 2023 officially commenced its full commercial flight operation with three inbound flights landing in succession.

After landing at the new airport in a very exciting mood, some of the passengers who disembarked from the first flight - A Sky - expressed gratitude to the Government of President Julius Maada Bio for undertaking such infrastructure development.

They said it was historic for a country to have such a huge development, describing the airport as a standardized one with international setup. They also cited the facilities contained therein as compared to the previous one, adding that they were well pleased to have first-hand experience at the new airport.

The passengers also appealed to Government to revisit the Lungi bridge project in order to enhance the quickest means of accessing the capital city of the country.
Witnessing the commencement of the commercial flight operation, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said the operationalization of the new Freetown International Airport facility in Lungi, Port Loko District is the actualization of the beginning of the new Financial City in Lungi.

“The second phase of the Financial City, which includes administrative buildings; don’t forget we are in the pre-feasibility stages of the Lungi bridge. When all of these are completed then the city will be open as a new Financial City,” VP Juldeh Jalloh disclosed.

He concluded by assuring that the Government under the leadership of His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio would ensure they transform the country by using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to address the social needs of its citizens in the area of energy, transportation and trade.

The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh M. Kallon, said he was excited to see travelers landing at the new airport for the first time, noting that it was a historic event as a Minister of the transport sector.

He said they have engaged the staff of the airport and operators to ensure they comply with all protocols at the new airport, adding that this will increase the aviation industry as well as improve the tourism sector.
Mr. Kabineh averred that there is marked difference between the previous airport and the new one, noting that the new airport is a fecelift to the people of Lungi in particular and the country in general.