Under the visionary leadership of Jack D.K. Massaquoi, the Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA) is accelerating transformative reforms in service delivery governance and digitalization at Freetown International Airport. At the heart of this modernization drive is the implementation of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and a Quality Management System (QMS) within Air Navigation Service operations, in line with international best practices.
Mr. Massaquoi underscored the strategic importance of these reforms, stating:
“Over 220,000 passengers annually rely on the expertise of our air traffic controllers, aeronautical information officers, radio and telecommunications engineers, and navigation equipment. Their trust in our services reflects the national vision of His Excellency Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, who has championed aviation reforms through the construction of a new airport and associated facilities. His vision for advancing air transport as a catalyst for sustainable economic and social development will be remembered as a landmark in Sierra Leone’s history of infrastructural and human capital development.”
He further acknowledged the pivotal role of the Honourable Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, in advancing aviation governance and facilitating technical assistance from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which is spearheading the QMS implementation process at Freetown International Airport.
QMS Expert Gideon Adjierteh Adjei reaffirmed GCAA’s commitment, noting that its leadership is dedicated to supporting SLAA in shaping the future of Air Traffic Management through the ambitious pursuit of ISO 9001:2015 certificate.
Mr. Massaquoi also called for enhanced cross-border cooperation in QMS implementation to ensure optimal service delivery for airline operators. SLAA continues to collaborate with multiple Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and Sierra Leone is an active member of the Roberts FIR cooperation, which oversees a unified airspace block encompassing Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia.
In closing, the General Manager expressed gratitude to the leadership of both GCAA and the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) for their steadfast support in SLAA’s QMS implementation journey.
