Sierra Leone Telegraph: 05 June 2020:
International flights to and from Sierra Leone were grounded by the government of Sierra Leone two months ago, in response to the rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, which now stands at almost a thousand.
This decision by the Sierra Leone government came as countries around the world closed their airports to help curb the transmission of the virus.
But airport lockdowns may soon come to an end, as governments and airlines across the world begin to put measures in place for the safe reopening of airports and resumption of international flights.
Writing in a press statement yesterday, Brussels Airlines – a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, said it is planning to resume flights to Freetown on the 17th of July 2020.
“The more restricted we are, the greater the longing for the outside world. And even though we are still far from normal, the world is carefully opening up again. For all those who now feel the desire to visit friends or family, to attend business appointments in person or simply to enjoy a holiday again, there is good news operations!
“After an interruption of 12 weeks, Brussels Airlines will resume flight operations on 15 June 2020. In summer 2020, we will offer a reduced route network with 240 flights weekly. This is around 30% of the European connections and 40% of intercontinental connections originally planned.
“Brussels Airlines will expand its route network gradually, enabling private and business travellers to reach 60 destinations in 34 countries by the end of August 2020.
“The Brussels Airlines offer at a glance – 45 destinations in 20 European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain; 14 destinations in Africa, 1 destination in the USA (New York). The launch of flights to the new destination Montreal has been postponed until next year.
“Flights from Freetown will restart from the 17th of July – subject to the lifting of actual travel restrictions and approval of schedule by the authorities of Sierra Leone. Flights will operate to/from Freetown on July 17 and 31, August 14 and 28. Regular weekly schedules will start from September. Currently, the flight schedule of Brussels Airlines is being updated for the period between 15th of June and 31st of August.
“Since operations will resume with a limited flight program, for the above mentioned period further flight cancellations and schedule changes are being effected. These adaptations will be gradually implemented in the booking systems as of today; impacted PNRs will appear in your queue. We expect reservations systems to show the updated flight program as of the 4th of June.
“You can rebook passengers affected by the flight cancellations according to our involuntary rebooking rules. Alternatively, you can make a rebooking free of charge for passengers who want to change their routing based on the extended goodwill rules.”
More information about the summer schedule: https://www.brusselsairlines.com/en-be/destinations/Default.aspx
ABOUT BRUSSELS AIRLINES
Brussels Airlines is Belgium’s national airline, connecting the capital of Europe to more than 80 destinations, whereof 17 in Sub-Saharan Africa, the continent Brussels Airlines considers its second home. Moreover, Brussels Airlines offers 65 destinations in Europe, 3 in North America and Tel Aviv. The company has over 4,000 employees and 48 aircraft operating some 250 flights daily, flying more than 10 million passengers a year to, via and from Brussels Airport.
Thanks to its no-compromise positioning, Brussels Airlines combines competitive fares with the highest service quality. With yearly changing Belgian Star Chefs, its wide offer of Belgian food and drinks and the six Belgian Icons, Brussels Airlines is an ambassador of its country, bringing the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world.
Brussels Airlines offers cargo capacity on all its flights, commercialized by Lufthansa Cargo. The airline also handles the daily maintenance of its aircraft fleet.
Brussels Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group and is a member of Star Alliance. The company was founded in 2002 and is 100% owned by Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
I am happy that the world is coming back to normalcy.
Am so happy everything is going to normal again by the grace of God
Great news about the resumption of flights to my country by Brussels Airlines…
This awesome news. I cannot wait to be on the next available flight to Sierra Leone. I was absolutely devastated having to cancel my April trip.
Good news. I am so happy that we are getting to the PIC of reopening airlines again, thank God.
Great news!! It appears Covid-19 is here to stay, so we might as well learn to live with it and carry on with our lives. My luggages are still unpacked after packing for my initial March visit to Salone. Hopefully, I can take the trip sooner or later.