Overland Airways Launches Successful Inaugural Flight to Freetown
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s oldest private domestic airline, has celebrated a significant milestone with its inaugural flight to Freetown, Sierra Leone, on December 19, 2024. The flight landed at Freetown International Airport (FIA) to a traditional water cannon salute from the airport's fire service, marking a new chapter in regional aviation.
The airline operated the inaugural flight from Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) using its new Embraer 175 aircraft. This flight initiates a service that will include three weekly flights on the Lagos-Freetown-Lagos route, enhancing travel options and accessibility for passengers between the two cities.
Welcoming the airline's executives, crew, and passengers were prominent Sierra Leonean officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Nigerian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, and the Director-General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA).
During a welcome ceremony at the airport, Edward Boyo, Captain and CEO of Overland Airways, praised the Sierra Leonean government for fostering a supportive environment for aviation, which enabled this new route. He emphasized the need for bold leadership in the African aviation industry to facilitate open airspace, lower taxes, and promote healthy competition, which could ultimately reduce airfare in the region.
Boyo described the inaugural flight as a tremendous success, expressing confidence that Overland would increase its flight frequency from three times a week to daily in the near future. Additionally, he announced plans to commence services to Banjul, The Gambia, on December 21, 2024, marking a historic achievement as the first Nigerian airline to launch services to two regional destinations within just 48 hours. Beyond Freetown and Banjul, Overland Airways aims to expand its network to include Liberia, Togo, Benin Republic, and Ghana in 2024, with further plans for additional African countries. "We are committed to connecting West Africa, starting with the Manu River region, facilitating travel to Banjul, Monrovia, and more," Boyo stated, highlighting the airline's dedication to enhancing regional connectivity.
Musayeroh Barrie, Director-General of SLCAA, commended Overland Airways for its investment in Sierra Leone, describing the airline's arrival as a pivotal moment for the country’s aviation sector. She emphasized that this new service would provide more travel options and affordable flights, fostering cultural exchanges, tourism, and trade between Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Barrie assured that Sierra Leone would continue to create a favorable environment for airlines, stressing the importance of safety and security in aviation operations. She expressed gratitude to Overland Airways and looked forward to a fruitful partnership that would enhance the role of aviation in promoting investment. Frank Azueke, the Nigerian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, echoed these sentiments, noting that the new Lagos-Freetown route would simplify travel, connecting minds and cultures while easing previous burdens associated with long, complicated journeys.
Transport Minister Fanday Turay, represented by Technical Advisor Alberd Forde, highlighted that the new route would significantly boost intra-African travel, while Kwame Yankson, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, anticipated an increase in tourists and business travelers to Sierra Leone. The Overland Airways team expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome from the people and government of Sierra Leone, particularly recognizing the contributions of President Julius Maada Bio and various stakeholders that facilitated the successful inaugural flight.
