By John Sheka Tarawalie
Air Senegal, a new airline company coming to Sierra Leone for the first time is set to start its operations in Sierra Leone starting 2 August 2021.
This was revealed at a workshop held at the Radisson Blu hostel in Freetown on Tuesday 13th July 2021, where the airline hosted travelling agencies in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Aviation Authority, the Director of Air Transport and Legal Services at Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Jusu Kallon welcome the airline to Sierra Leone and assured them of their full support.
He noted that if only the airline cooperates with the country’s civil aviation laws, they will enjoy their stay in Sierra Leone. Noting that this is in line with the New Direction Government manifesto in improving the air transport services in the country. He also called on other airlines to support and cooperate with Air Senegal. He furthered that with the coming of Air Senegal in the country, people travelling to the United States of America will have an easy way to travel and also noted that Air Senegal will help to showcase Sierra Leone to the world.
The Project Manager E-Commerce and Ancillaries Back Office Coordinator of Air Senegal, Madam Penda Washington in her statement said they are very much happy to come to Sierra Leone to start operating their airline. She revealed that flights are already opened for sale since May 5th 2021 on their website from/to Washington and New York to all destinations operated by Air Senegal. Noting that their schedule will also facilitate connections to Abidjan, Bamako, Conakry, Banjul, Freetown, Ziguinchor, Cap Skirring, Praia, Nouakchott, Cotonou, Douala, Libreville, and Casablanca.
She furthered that the flights will be operated by their second Airbus A330 neo widebody equipped with 32 flatbed seats in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy and 237 in Economy class. Their passengers will enjoy individual entertainment, a baggage allowance of 64KG in Business and Premium Economic and 46KG in Economy and perks from their frequent flyer program, Teranga.
She added that it is a great pleasure and pride that they are going to start operating in Sierra Leone, which she said is part of their intercontinental expansion. This she said will help to connect Sierra Leone to the world, most especially to the United States of America. She further revealed that Air Senegal started its first flight in May 2018 and that they will have flights four times a week in Sierra Leone.
Adding that they will connect Freetown to the United States twice a week starting 2nd September 2021. Noting that their flight is for all Africans, most especially West Africans, they have 21 destinations.
The travel agencies were so happy for the engagement and pledged their support to Air Senegal in enhancing better Air transport services in Sierra Leone.
