London, Gatwick Airport to Freetown, Sierra Leone is now flown nonstop by Ascent Airways. (LGW-FNA)
Proudly exhibiting the Air Sierra Leone Colours, British Ascend Airways concluded its inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Freetown, Sierra Leone. This marks a re-establishment of direct air connectivity between the 2 international locations after a 12-year hiatus. The historic flight came about on April 26, with the return journey from Freetown on April 27, coinciding with Sierra Leone’s Independence Day.
The inaugural flight, which carried members of the UK’s Sierra Leonean diaspora and different worldwide friends, restored a significant air hyperlink. The final time the 2 locations have been linked with direct flights was in 2012.
“It’s a true honour to have operated the historic London Gatwick to Freetown flight on behalf of Air Sierra Leone. It took months of onerous work to set this connection up, and we stay up for working this much-needed route in the course of the summer time and winter,” mentioned Alastair Willson, CEO of Ascend Airways.
Ascend Airways is a UK-registered airline with an Air Operator Certificates (AOC) and Kind B Working License from the UK CAA. In 2023, it was acquired by the Eire-headquartered Avia Options Group, which operates a fleet of 221 plane on six continents.
Ascend Airways will function three weekly providers for Air Sierra Leone, commencing June 16. This new route reconnects Sierra Leone with the UK, opening important tourism, enterprise, and financial growth alternatives between the 2 international locations.
The partnership between Air Sierra Leone and the UK-registered Ascend Airways guarantees a excessive degree of security and adherence to strict laws. All flights on this route shall be operated by Ascend Airways-trained cockpit and cabin crews. Ascend Airways can also be accountable for all upkeep procedures of the plane working the Gatwick-Freetown flights.
The inaugural flight was operated by the corporate’s latest Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane, G-CRUX, which was added to the airline’s fleet in 2025. The selection of plane reveals Ascend Airways’ dedication to sustainable aviation, because the MAX reduces CO2 emissions by 20% and contains a 40% decrease noise footprint in comparison with previous-generation plane.
ASCEND Airways – Carrying your prospects with care
Ascend Airways leads in ACMI, CMI, and constitution flight providers in Nice Britain, that includes a contemporary Boeing fleet.
Ascend Airways, headquartered in the UK, is a constitution airline specializing in ACMI (Plane, Crew, Upkeep, and Insurance coverage) and ad-hoc constitution providers. Established in 2023, the airline commenced operations in 2024 and operates a rising fleet of recent Boeing 737 plane, together with the 737-800 and 737 MAX 8. In 2025, Ascend Airways is ready to develop its operations by way of its newly established sister service, Ascend Airways Malaysia, based mostly in Southeast Asia.
This strategic transfer permits flexibility in managing seasonal demand and gives larger buyer capability throughout the UK, Europe, and Asia.
