New Sierra Leone route from bmi

Bmi has launched a direct service to the west African nation of Sierra Leone.

The carrier will now operate four weekly flights from London Heathrow Airport to Freetown International Airport - departing on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

During a recent visit to the country, bmi chief executive Nigel Turner had pledged his airline's commitment to helping develop the fledgling economy.

Sierra Leone emerged from a decade-long civil war in 2002 and, with the assistance of former colonial power Britain, has made steady but fragile progress.

The inauguration of the Freetown to Heathrow service will also strengthen bmi's connections to onward destinations throughout Europe and North America.

Commenting on the new route, Sierra Leone Airport Authority spokesman Mohamed Swarray expressed his approval and urged more carriers to open up links to the resource-rich nation.

© Adfero Ltd

Comments

[Wilf]

As a native of Sierra Leone, I am particularly pleased with this development. The only downside is that BMI flying from Heathrow doubles my transit time to the airport as gatwick is much closer.