AFTER more than a decade without direct flights between the UK and Sierra Leone, UK-based airline company Zuri Sky Ltd has announced plans to reintroduce this critical air link. The service, expected to launch later this year, will provide direct flights between London Gatwick and Freetown’s Lungi International Airport, significantly reducing travel time and costs for passengers.
Bringing back direct air travel
Zuri Sky’s chairman, Robert Blick, a seasoned businessman and aviation expert, has previously managed direct flights on this route. As a former Honorary Consul and Trade Commissioner of Sierra Leone in the UK, Blick brings decades of experience in airline management and international trade.
Speaking to Africa Briefing, Blick expressed enthusiasm about the project: ‘Having successfully managed this route in the past, I am delighted to once again be involved in overseeing this service to Sierra Leone. We have a strong team in Freetown, and we are committed to providing excellent service and regular updates to passengers.
Direct flights between the UK and Sierra Leone have faced several disruptions over the past decade. The Ebola outbreak in 2014 led to a suspension of flights, and while services briefly resumed in 2015, they ceased again by March 2016. The Covid-19 pandemic further compounded travel difficulties, leaving passengers reliant on lengthy and expensive layovers through Brussels, Casablanca, or Istanbul.
Zuri Sky aims to solve this issue by operating direct flights that will cut travel time from over 11 hours to just six.
Scepticism and Zuri Sky’s unique approach
Despite the announcement, some frequent travellers remain cautious, given past disappointments. A UK-based Sierra Leonean traveller, who regularly flies via connecting routes, told Africa Briefing: ‘This sounds promising, but we’ve heard similar announcements before. We hope this one actually takes off.’
Acknowledging these concerns, a senior Zuri Sky representative outlined key factors distinguishing the airline from past failed ventures:
- Operational Readiness – flights will not be advertised until all regulatory requirements are fully met.
- Strong Financial Backing – the airline is supported by committed European investors.
- Regulatory Compliance – management is based in London, ensuring adherence to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations.
- Experienced Leadership – Blick, who has over 30 years of experience in the Sierra Leonean diaspora, previously ran a successful airline on this route.
‘Our commitment is to build trust and deliver a reliable airline that truly serves the people. We aim to become the “People’s Airline,”’ the representative added.
Economic and social impact of direct flights
Zuri Sky sees the relaunch of direct UK-Sierra Leone flights as a game-changer for business, tourism, and the large Sierra Leonean diaspora in the UK. The airline expects the service to facilitate smoother travel for holidaymakers, investors, and business professionals.
In its initial phase, Zuri Sky plans to operate one flight per week using chartered planes, with the long-term goal of increasing frequency and adding direct flights from the United States.
However, the airline acknowledges that success depends on careful planning, reliable schedules, solid financial backing, and sufficient passenger demand.
‘For this to succeed, it must be undertaken carefully with sustainable operations and a commitment to reliability,’ the Zuri Sky representative said.
With its strategic approach and experienced leadership, Zuri Sky hopes to finally provide Sierra Leone with a long-term direct air link to the UK, improving connectivity and boosting economic opportunities for both nations.
For more information, visit: www.zuri-sky.com.
