First direct UK-Sierra Leone flight in over a decade takes off
Ascend Airways UK, a subsidiary airline of Avia Solutions Group has successfully operated the inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
This marks the return of direct air connectivity between the two countries after a 12-year gap.
Avia Solutions is the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider.
The two destinations haven’t been directly connected since 2012.
“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,” said Alastair Willson, CEO of Ascend Airways.
Ascend Airways is a UK-registered airline, which has an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Type B Operating License from the UK CAA.
In 2023, it was acquired by Ireland-based Avia Solutions Group, which operates a fleet of 221 aircraft on 6 continents.
Ascend Airways will operate three weekly flights on behalf of Air Sierra Leone commencing on June 16.
The partnership between Air Sierra Leone and Ascend Airways uses Ascend Airways-trained cockpit and cabin crew.
Ascend Airways is also responsible for all maintenance procedures of the aircraft operating the Gatwick-Freetown flights.
The inaugural flight was operated by the airline’s newest Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, which was added to the airline’s fleet in 2025.
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