Photo caption: Photo caption: L-R: Nigerian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador, Frank Azueke, Managing Director of Overland Airways, Capt Edward Boyo, Director General of Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Mrs Musayeroh Barrie, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Kwame Yaukson and Dr Alberd Firde, representative of the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Sierra Leone, Amb. Alhaji Fanday Turay and Executive Director, Overland Airways, Mrs Aduke Atiba during the cutting of cake to celebrate Lagos-Freetown inaugural flight by Overland Airways at the Freetown International Airport, Freetown on Thursday.
…As Expansion Drive Moves To Banjul, Monrovia, Guinea, Others Coming Weeks
…A Significant Milestone To Aviation Industry Growth–SLCAA DG, Barrie
…It Is A Fulfillment Of Single African Air Transport Market–Boyo
Overland Airways, one of the leading airlines in Nigeria yesterday, Thursday commenced Inaugural flight operations from Lagos–Freetown.
The airline will operate three times a week direct flight between Lagos and
Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
The inaugural flight which was operated with the state-of-the-art Embraer 175, departed the international wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos at about 3:20 pm arrived at the Freetown International Airport (FIA) in Freetown, Sierra Leone at about 6:17pm Thursday evening and was welcome with water Canon Salute by the Freetown International Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service.
Speaking at a reception to welcome Overland Airways into the country at the FIA, the Director General of Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Mrs Musayeroh Barrie commended the airline for choosing to fly into the country.
She stated that Overland Airways entrance into Sierra Leone is a significant milestone in the growth of aviation sector in the country.
Barrie said that the new network between Nigeria and Sierra Leone will not only provide choices but will also enhance tourism, trade and investments, adding that the partnership will bring about job creation and investments in training.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the management of Overland Airways. We look forward to working with you. Together, we are shaping a future where aviation plays a prominent role and encourage investors and promote investments”, the Barrie said.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, said he is grateful for the support and warm reception the people of the Federal Republic of Sierra Leone accorded to Overland.
He noted that the new Lagos-Freetown route is a fulfillment of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Boyo pointed out that, Overland’s coming into Freetown is not only about aviation but hinges on marketing and people.
According to Boyo, “We in the airline are trying to unify the rules and regulations that divide us. We are here to make a unified system where you can travel from one part of Africa to another in comfort. Sierra Leone has shown that they are open for business. We are coming to Sierra Leone not as an airline but to invest.”
He expressed gratitude to the President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency, Dr Julius Maada Bio and his cabinet, DG SLCAA, FIA operators, ground handling companies, Rescue and Fire Fighting Service amongst others.
Boyo disclosed that Overland Airways has plans of an initial three times flight per week for a start on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on the new route.
He however, explained that, they will increase the frequency to seven-daily flight every week.
He promised that the airline is not focusing on profits alone, assuring that, the carrier will ensure it optimises the price of their products.
The Overland Airways boss also informed that airline has plans to expand its route network in the coming weeks to Banjul, Monrovia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Dakar, Ghana, Ivory Coast all in West Africa and to other routes.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Kwame Yaukson stated that they are happy that Overland is Operating to Sierra Leone because their interest is in the numbers, stressing that with Overland Airways, their numbers have increased.
“It is not just about having a flight but it has to be reliable and safe which is very important in aviation. Be sure, you respect time and avoid delays, cancellations except it is very necessary,” Yaukson advised Overland Airways management.
In his remark, Nigerian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador, Frank Azueke stated that the Lagos-Freetown route is not just about connecting two cities but about connecting minds and hearts.
Amb. Azueke assured that with the launch of the route,it will ease the burden of travellers going to Nigeria and also eliminate complicated and long duration journeys along the route.
According to him, “This is a testament to progress outlook of Sierra Leone. It also speaks volumes of the foresight of Sierra Leone.”
On his part, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay commended Overland Airways, assuring that the government and people of Sierra Leone welcome Overland with great joy and happiness.
Speaking, Turay represented by Senior Technical Advisor to the Minister, Dr. Alberd Forde said, “Our bilateral ties is as constant as the Northern stars. Overland Airways decision to serve Lagos-Freetown and other route networks is a good testament. Sierra Leone tourism potential have not been tapped.”
The inaugural flight which was piloted by Capt. Almir Suman had former Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Engr Benedict Adeyileka, NCAA officials, journalists, celebrities amongst others on board.
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