List of Airports in Sierra Leone
As of 2024, there are 10 airports throughout the country of Sierra Leone according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Sierra Leone are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Sierra Leone
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bo Airport | KBS | Bo | Small |
| 2 | Bonthe Airport | BTE | Bonthe | Small |
| 3 | Daru Airport | DSL | Daru | Small |
| 4 | Gbangbatok Airport | GBK | Gbangbatok | Small |
| 5 | Hastings Airport | HGS | Freetown | Small |
| 6 | Kabala Airport | KBA | Kabala | Small |
| 7 | Kenema Airport | KEN | Kenema | Small |
| 8 | Lungi International Airport | FNA | Freetown | Medium |
| 9 | Sierra Leone Airport | SRK | Sierra Leone | Small |
| 10 | Yengema Airport | WYE | Yengema | Small |
Major Airports in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a West African country with a few key airports that handle both domestic and international flights. The primary airport serving the country is Lungi International Airport, which is located near the capital city, Freetown. Sierra Leone has a limited number of airports, most of which are regional or for domestic use, with a few international connections.
1. Lungi International Airport (Freetown)
Airport Code:
- IATA: FNA
- ICAO: GFLL
Time Zone:
- GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) – UTC+0
Address:
- Lungi International Airport, Lungi, Sierra Leone
Nearby Cities:
- Freetown – 9 miles (via ferry or helicopter)
- Waterloo – 14 miles
- Masiaka – 47 miles
- Makeni – 110 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Kenya Airways
- Arik Air
- Royal Air Maroc
- Air Peace
- Ethiopian Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
- Approximately 500,000 passengers (2022)
Airport Location and History:
Lungi International Airport (FNA) is located in Lungi, a town situated across the Sierra Leone River from Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. The airport serves as the primary international gateway to the country. Originally built in the 1960s, the airport has undergone several expansions and upgrades over the years to accommodate growing passenger traffic and improve its facilities. The airport is situated on a peninsula, and getting to Freetown requires a ferry ride or a helicopter trip across the river, making travel to and from the capital somewhat challenging. Lungi International is an important regional hub, handling flights to various destinations in West Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. It is a critical airport for both tourism and trade, facilitating international commerce, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic relations for Sierra Leone. The airport has seen some improvements in infrastructure, particularly after the civil war, but still faces challenges related to congestion and limited services.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Lungi International Airport has a single terminal that handles both international and domestic flights. The airport has one runway:
- Runway (11/29): 3,000 meters (9,843 feet)
The runway is capable of handling large aircraft, including wide-body jets such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330, making it suitable for long-haul international flights. The airport’s facilities include duty-free shops, restaurants, and lounges, though services are limited due to the airport’s smaller size. Lungi Airport is equipped with essential amenities for both passengers and cargo, including customs, baggage handling, and security services. However, the airport is often criticized for its lack of modern facilities, and the connection to Freetown via ferry or helicopter can sometimes cause delays. The airport is also in the process of improving its infrastructure, with hopes for more modern terminals and better access routes in the future.
2. Sierra Leone International Airport (Kenema)
Airport Code:
- IATA: KEM
- ICAO: GFKM
Time Zone:
- GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) – UTC+0
Address:
- Kenema International Airport, Kenema, Sierra Leone
Nearby Cities:
- Kenema – 3 miles
- Bo – 28 miles
- Freetown – 180 miles
- Makeni – 150 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Air Peace (Seasonal)
- Sierra Leone Airways (domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
- Approximately 10,000 passengers (2022)
Airport Location and History:
Kenema International Airport is a smaller regional airport located in the eastern part of Sierra Leone, in the city of Kenema. It primarily serves the eastern provinces and facilitates domestic flights. The airport was originally established to serve the growing demand for domestic travel within Sierra Leone, but it has not seen significant international operations. The airport is important for local commerce, government travel, and connecting the more remote regions of Sierra Leone with the capital, Freetown. Over the years, Kenema Airport has faced challenges with infrastructure development and service improvements. It remains a vital regional airport but lacks the capacity and facilities for large international flights, making it an important asset for domestic and regional air travel.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Kenema Airport has a small terminal, focusing on domestic flights with limited services for passengers. The airport has one runway:
- Runway (07/25): 1,800 meters (5,905 feet)
The runway at Kenema is capable of handling smaller regional aircraft such as the ATR 72 and Dash 8, but it is not designed for large commercial aircraft or wide-body jets. The airport provides basic facilities such as check-in counters, waiting areas, and a small café, but it lacks the infrastructure and amenities found at larger airports like Lungi International. The airport serves the eastern part of Sierra Leone and is an essential link for passengers traveling to and from the region. Given its limited infrastructure, there are plans for improvements to expand the runway and terminal in the future.
3. Bonthe Airport (Bonthe)
Airport Code:
- IATA: BTE
- ICAO: GFBT
Time Zone:
- GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) – UTC+0
Address:
- Bonthe Airport, Bonthe, Sierra Leone
Nearby Cities:
- Bonthe – 2 miles
- Masiaka – 85 miles
- Freetown – 120 miles
- Bo – 100 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Sierra Leone Airways (Domestic)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
- Approximately 1,000 passengers (2022)
Airport Location and History:
Bonthe Airport is a smaller regional airport located in the southern part of Sierra Leone, near the town of Bonthe. It primarily handles domestic flights within Sierra Leone and plays a crucial role in serving the southern provinces. The airport was initially constructed to provide air access to the more remote and isolated regions of Sierra Leone, particularly after the civil war, which had disrupted transportation networks. While the airport is not heavily used for international flights, it remains important for connecting southern Sierra Leone to the capital and other major cities. It is used mostly by locals and government officials, and it facilitates travel for both commercial and humanitarian purposes.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Bonthe Airport has limited infrastructure, with basic facilities for domestic flights. It has one runway:
- Runway (06/24): 1,500 meters (4,921 feet)
The runway is suitable for smaller aircraft, such as the Cessna 208 and other light aircraft, but it is not capable of handling larger, wide-body jets. The airport provides essential services, including check-in counters and baggage handling, but it lacks modern amenities such as duty-free shops or lounges. Bonthe Airport is critical for the local population, especially for emergency evacuations, medical services, and connecting the southern region with the rest of the country. The airport is small, and there are ongoing efforts to improve its infrastructure, particularly its runway, to allow for a greater variety of aircraft.
4. Makeni Airport (Makeni)
Airport Code:
- IATA: N/A
- ICAO: GFMK
Time Zone:
- GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) – UTC+0
Address:
- Makeni Airport, Makeni, Sierra Leone
Nearby Cities:
- Makeni – 3 miles
- Lunsar – 15 miles
- Freetown – 120 miles
- Bo – 110 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Sierra Leone Airways (Domestic)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
- Approximately 5,000 passengers (2022)
Airport Location and History:
Makeni Airport is located in the northern part of Sierra Leone, serving the city of Makeni and surrounding areas. It was originally built to cater to the needs of regional travelers, connecting northern Sierra Leone with the capital, Freetown. Although it has not been developed into an international airport, Makeni Airport remains important for domestic flights. It was particularly important during the civil war, as it helped with the transport of goods and personnel to areas that were otherwise difficult to reach. The airport is mainly used for smaller aircraft and regional flights but is a crucial part of the country’s air transport network.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Makeni Airport has basic infrastructure suitable for domestic and regional flights. The airport has one runway:
- Runway (10/28): 1,800 meters (5,905 feet)
The runway can accommodate small regional aircraft such as the ATR 42 and other small propeller-driven planes but is not designed for large commercial jets. The facilities at Makeni Airport are limited, with only basic services such as ticketing and baggage handling. There are no major passenger amenities such as shops or lounges. Despite its limited size and services, the airport is important for serving northern Sierra Leone and provides an essential transportation link for the local population, government, and businesses.
5. Koidu Airport (Koidu)
Airport Code:
- IATA: KOE
- ICAO: GFKE
Time Zone:
- GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) – UTC+0
Address:
- Koidu Airport, Koidu, Sierra Leone
Nearby Cities:
- Koidu – 2 miles
- Kenema – 40 miles
- Freetown – 180 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Sierra Leone Airways (Domestic)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
- Approximately 3,000 passengers (2022)
Airport Location and History:
Koidu Airport is located in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, primarily serving the city of Koidu, a significant center for diamond mining. The airport was developed to facilitate air travel for the mining industry and to provide connectivity to the more remote regions of Sierra Leone. It is primarily used for domestic flights, particularly by business travelers and government officials, as well as for humanitarian flights. While it does not handle international flights, Koidu Airport plays a crucial role in the economy of the region, especially given the importance of mining activities in Sierra Leone.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Koidu Airport has basic facilities designed to handle small regional aircraft. The airport has one runway:
- Runway (09/27): 1,200 meters (3,937 feet)
The runway is suitable for smaller aircraft, but it is not capable of handling larger commercial jets. The airport provides basic services such as check-in, baggage handling, and some ground support. There are no extensive amenities at Koidu Airport, but its role as a regional transport hub makes it important for access to the diamond mining areas and other remote parts of Sierra Leone. Future upgrades to the airport may expand its capacity and improve its services for both passengers and cargo.
