Soups From Ghana, joined Jun 2004, 3437 posts, RR: 15 Posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1637 times:
Astraeus is expanding its services to Freetown in Sierra Leone this winter. From 30 November 2005, a new Wednesday service will be offered, taking the total number of non-stop flights between London Gatwick and Freetown to three per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday).
To cope with peak demand, we are also adding six extra flights (on Tuesdays and Sundays) over the Christmas and New Year period, which is traditionally a busy time of year on the route. All services are operated by the extra-legroom 757 aircraft. Flights are timed to offer convenient connections to a wide range of destinations in the USA, Europe and UK via London Gatwick’s extensive route network.
Also B3 flies LHR-FNA twice or thrice weekly.
Not sure what happened to Sierra National Airline flihts from LGW to FNA
Next destinations, Suarabaya, beirut, paris, Accra
Orion737 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1623 times:
I would have liked to have seen a Sierra Leone carrier on the route and getting a share of the market to Freetown now that their country is stable and begining to receive business and leisure passengers again.
I like Astraeus and they provide a good service but sad that it isnt a Sierra Leone carrier providing local job opportunities for the poor people of this beautiful country.
Orion737 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1528 times:
I dont know that the tourism amounts to very much. the country is only just getting back on its feet after the recent turmoil. The country certainly has tourist potential and a beautiful coastline with some great sandy beaches. Cape Sierra is a particularly lovley area.
I see no reason why tourism to Sierra Leone couldnt take off in the same way it has in nearby Gambia. The cimate would certainly appeal to winter sunseekers from the UK and we share a language and colonial history.
None of our mass market tour operators are currently offering package holidays to the country so at the moment its probably independant tourists who are visiting.
I would love to return to the coutry. Its been around 12 years since I was there. I am so happy that the country is getting back on its feet and that airlines are once again serving Freetown.
Soups From Ghana, joined Jun 2004, 3437 posts, RR: 15 Reply 5, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1514 times:
i been to FNA many time and its a nice place to visit, after civil war in the country there is a lack of infrastructure. i THINK its safe now to visit Sierra Leonne.
I dont think there will be any UK package holidays to FNA in the near future due to lack of basic touristic infrastructure such as hotels
Next destinations, Suarabaya, beirut, paris, Accra
Orion737 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 1503 times:
I agree but I hope independant tourists visit and provide some much needed revenue. Even before the country had its recent troubles, none of the tour operators showed much interest.
I find that suprising because the Cape Sierra area was quite well developed for tourists and the climate is ideal for Winter sun holidays and the flight time not too bad at under 7 hours from London.
Lets hope tourism picks up to Sierra Leone. they could do with the business. Astraeus increasing flights is a positive sign.
HUYfan From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 1372 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 1504 times:
Having stayed in the Cape Sierra/Aberdeen area many many times, I have to say that although it is the best area in Freetown for tourists, it lags a long long way behind being able to attract tourists on package holidays from the UK. Also there is the issue of the transfer from Lungi Airport to Freetown, I can't see a load of First Choice UK holiday makers fancying the hovercraft or helicopter.
BCAL From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 3384 posts, RR: 18 Reply 9, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 1490 times:
IIRC Sierra Leone Airways operated to LGW via LPA about 2 or maybe 3 years ago. There are many West Africans (sorry do not know what the correct terminology of Sierra Leone nationals is ) living in Gran Canaria. The flights were, however, often subject to cancellation and then safety issues were raised in the UK putting a temporary stop to the service, which soon became permanent.
MOL on SRB's latest attack at BA: "It's like a little Chihuahua barking at a dying Labrador. Nobody cares."
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From Ghana, joined Jun 2004, 3437 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Lebanon, joined Jul 2005, 847 posts, 
) living in Gran Canaria. The flights were, however, often subject to cancellation and then safety issues were raised in the UK putting a temporary stop to the service, which soon became permanent.
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