Jazmin Li
Sierra Leone's main international airport is Freetown International Airport (FNA/GFLL), formerly known as Lungi International Airport. The airport is located in the coastal town of Lungi, across the Sierra Leone River from Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown. It is the only international airport in Sierra Leone and is 182 km from the center of Freetown. The airport is operated by the Sierra Leone Airports Authority and offers regular flights to destinations in Europe and other African cities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Freetown International Airport (formerly Lungi International Airport) |
| IATA Code | FNA |
| ICAO Code | GFLL |
| Location | Coastal town of Lungi, Sierra Leone |
| Distance from Freetown | 182 km |
| Transport Options to Freetown | Government ferry, private passenger water taxi speed boats, bus transportation |
| Airlines | Air France, Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airlines, and several other African airlines |
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What You'll Learn
- Freetown International Airport is the closest airport to Freetown, Sierra Leone
- It is situated in the coastal town of Lungi, across the Sierra Leone River from Freetown
- The airport is 182 km from the centre of Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Passengers can travel from the airport to Freetown by ferry, water taxi, or bus
- The ferry is the cheapest and most common way to travel from the airport to Freetown
Freetown International Airport is the closest airport to Freetown, Sierra Leone
Freetown International Airport, formerly known as Lungi International Airport, is the closest airport to Freetown, Sierra Leone. It is situated in the coastal town of Lungi and is the only international airport in Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone River separates the airport from Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone.
The airport is about 182 km from the centre of Freetown. It carries out freight transport, operations, ramp services, and passenger services for all its airline customers in Freetown. The airport security is ensured by Westminster Aviation Security Services Ltd., an internationally focused security organisation that provides fire, safety, security, and defence solutions.
There are multiple options for travelling from the airport to Freetown, including a government ferry, private passenger water taxi speed boats, and bus transportation. The ferry is the cheapest and most common way of travelling from the airport to Freetown and takes about an hour. The water taxis are large boats, often with air conditioning and wifi, and take 30-40 minutes to Aberdeen, Murray Town, or Government Wharf. Public and private transportation buses also run from the airport to Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone.
In 2012, the management of the airport was contracted out to Westminster Aviation Security Services Ltd. The Sierra Leone government undertook a general upgrade of the terminal in 2010 to meet international standards. The arrival and departure halls were commissioned in May 2014 and February 2013, respectively. However, in September 2014, almost all regional and intercontinental flights to the airport were suspended due to the Ebola virus outbreak. During this time, Brussels Airlines was the only carrier to maintain regular operations, catering mainly to NGO health workers.
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It is situated in the coastal town of Lungi, across the Sierra Leone River from Freetown
Freetown International Airport (FNA / GFLL), formerly known as Lungi International Airport, services Freetown, Sierra Leone. It is situated in the coastal town of Lungi, across the Sierra Leone River from Freetown.
Lungi International Airport is the only international airport in Sierra Leone. It is about 182 km from the centre of Freetown, and it takes around three hours to travel between the two by road. The ferry is the most common mode of transport between Lungi and Freetown, taking about an hour. Water taxis are also available and take 30-40 minutes, while buses are another option.
The airport has a departure hall and an arrival hall, with security provided by Westminster Aviation Security Services Ltd. The company also ensures safety, defence, and fire solutions. The airport has two scanning machines and a walk-through metal detector at the departure terminal. Temperature screening was introduced due to the Ebola outbreak.
The airport carries out freight transport, operations, ramp services, and passenger services for its customers in Freetown. Fuel services are provided by Total SL Ltd, with four fixed points for refuelling. The cargo terminal is managed by Sky Handling Partner (SHP), which has constructed a hangar for cargo and vehicle parking facilities.
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The airport is 182 km from the centre of Freetown, Sierra Leone
The main airport serving Freetown, Sierra Leone, is Freetown International Airport (FNA / GFLL), formerly known as Lungi International Airport. It is located 182 km from the centre of Freetown and is the only international airport in Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone River separates the airport from the capital city, and passengers can travel between the airport and Freetown by government ferry, private passenger water taxi speed boats, or bus transportation. The ferry is the most common way to travel between the airport and the city, taking about an hour, while the private water taxis take 30-40 minutes to Aberdeen, Murray Town, or Government Wharf. The highway road journey from Lungi to Freetown is generally a three-hour drive but can be longer due to traffic.
The airport in Freetown has undergone several upgrades and management changes over the years. In 2012, its management was contracted to Westminster Aviation Security Services Ltd., a British security and military company. The Sierra Leone government also upgraded the terminal in 2010 to meet international standards, with the departure hall commissioned in 2013 and the arrival hall in 2014. However, most flights to Freetown were suspended in 2014 due to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. During this time, Brussels Airlines continued its operations, primarily serving NGO health workers.
The history of aviation in Freetown dates back to 1949 when an airstrip at Waterloo served the city. However, due to runway issues and the proximity of hills, the government decided to move the airport to Lungi, a former British Royal Air Force base. The current airport in Lungi has seen improvements in handling services and equipment, with the Sky Handling Partner constructing a new cargo warehouse with cold chain facilities.
Freetown International Airport is an important gateway to Sierra Leone, offering both passenger and cargo services. The airport has faced challenges, such as the Ebola outbreak, but it continues to serve the region, with airlines such as ASKY, Air Cote d'Ivoire, and Air France resuming operations in recent years.
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Passengers can travel from the airport to Freetown by ferry, water taxi, or bus
Freetown International Airport, formerly known as Lungi International Airport, is located in the coastal town of Lungi, Sierra Leone. The airport is separated from Freetown, the capital city, by the Sierra Leone River.
Ferry
The ferry is the cheapest option, costing between $1-2 or $45, depending on the source. It takes about an hour to travel from Lungi to Freetown by ferry. However, there can be long queues, and passengers are advised to be cautious of the risk of crime and overloading. It is recommended that passengers do not use this service alone or as a foot passenger.
Water Taxi
Water taxis are large boats that often have air conditioning and wifi. They are faster than the ferry, taking 30-40 minutes to reach Freetown. Sea Coach Express is a recommended water taxi company, known for its safety record. The journey with this company costs $40 or $45, depending on the source, and includes a minibus ride from the airport to their ferry port.
Bus
Public and private transportation buses run from Lungi to Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone. The road journey from Lungi to Freetown can take around three hours, but it can be longer due to traffic.
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The ferry is the cheapest and most common way to travel from the airport to Freetown
Freetown is served by only one major airport: Freetown International Airport (IATA: FNA, ICAO: GFLL), formerly known as Lungi International Airport. The airport is located in the coastal town of Lungi, about 9 miles from the city centre of Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital.
The Sierra Leone River separates the airport from Freetown, so passengers have several options for travelling between the airport and the city. These include government ferry, private passenger water taxi speed boats, and bus transportation.
Public and private transportation buses also run from Lungi to Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone. The highway road journey from Lungi to Freetown is generally a three-hour drive, but it can be considerably longer due to traffic in Freetown.
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Frequently asked questions
Freetown International Airport, formerly known as Lungi International Airport, is the main airport serving Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The airport is located 182 km from the centre of Freetown, across the Sierra Leone River.
You can travel between the airport and Freetown by boat, with a travel time of about 20-30 minutes. The government ferry is the cheapest option and takes about an hour, while private water taxis take 30-40 minutes to Aberdeen, Murray Town, or Government Wharf. Sea Coach Express and Sea Bird Express offer water crossings between the city and the airport for $45, inclusive of the transfer from the airport to the dock.
Air France, Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airlines, and several other African airlines fly to Freetown International Airport.
