Air Sierra Leone has announced a temporary suspension of its London–Freetown and London–Banjul flights for May 2026 following the sudden collapse of its aircraft provider, Ascend Airways.
In a press release dated April 29, the airline said Ascend Airways has entered bankruptcy and liquidation, leading to an immediate stop in its operations. This has left Air Sierra Leone without the aircraft needed to continue its scheduled services on the affected routes.
The airline said the decision to suspend flights was taken to ensure safety, reliability, and proper arrangements with a new aircraft provider. It added that the pause will also allow time to complete regulatory approvals in Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, and The Gambia.
Air Sierra Leone apologised to passengers for the disruption and confirmed that all affected customers will receive support. Travellers have been offered full refunds or the option to rebook on future flights once operations resume.
Group Chief Operating Officer, Sukhjinder Mann, said the airline was shocked by the sudden shutdown of Ascend Airways, noting that there had been no earlier signs of financial trouble. He also pointed to wider challenges in the global aviation sector, including the impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Despite the setback, the airline said it remains financially strong and is already in discussions with alternative aircraft providers. It described the situation as temporary and said efforts are ongoing to restore normal operations as soon as possible.
Air Sierra Leone reaffirmed its commitment to connecting West Africa with Europe and said it is working to minimise further disruption to passengers.
