By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
Chief Operating Officer of Air Sierra Leone, as the airline announced the suspension of all scheduled flights for May following the sudden bankruptcy and liquidation of its UK-based wet-lease partner, Ascend Airways.
In a press statement issued on April 29, Air Sierra Leone said the abrupt shutdown of Ascend Airways had a “direct and significant impact” on its operations. As a result, the airline has paused flights for a month while it works to secure a new aircraft provider and complete the necessary regulatory approvals.
The airline described the decision as a precautionary step to ensure safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability.
Mann noted that Ascend Airways had been “an excellent business partner,” adding that there had been no warning of its financial troubles. “We had no indication this was coming,” he said. He also pointed to ongoing instability in the global aviation sector, including disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, which have affected several airlines through reduced operations and closures.
Air Sierra Leone will use the month of May to finalize arrangements with a replacement operator and complete regulatory procedures across multiple jurisdictions. These include approvals from aviation authorities in Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, and The Gambia. Until these steps are completed, the airline cannot legally resume commercial flights.
Passengers affected by the suspension will be supported through a dedicated customer care system, with options for full refunds or rebooking on future flights. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience and encouraged customers to reach out through its official communication channels.
Despite the disruption, Air Sierra Leone maintained that it remains financially stable and is already in discussions with several alternative aircraft providers. While the airline expects to resume operations soon, no exact restart date has been confirmed, as it depends on regulatory clearances.
The situation highlights the risks associated with the wet-lease (ACMI) model, where airlines rely on external partners for aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. When a partner collapses unexpectedly, operations can come to an immediate halt.
Industry observers note that replacing a wet-lease provider is not a quick fix. Beyond securing a new aircraft, airlines must undergo fresh safety audits, obtain route approvals, and complete documentation with each relevant aviation authority.
For passengers, the suspension means disruptions on key routes connecting Freetown to regional and international destinations, many of which already have limited travel options. For Air Sierra Leone, the coming weeks will be critical not only to restore operations but also to rebuild customer confidence ahead of peak travel periods.
The airline thanked the team at Ascend Airways for their professionalism during the partnership and expressed hope that affected staff will find new opportunities within the aviation industry.
As it works toward a return to service, Air Sierra Leone faces the dual challenge of managing passenger expectations while ensuring a smooth, compliant, and reliable restart in a highly competitive market where trust is everything.