By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Egypt’s national carrier, EGYPTAIR, has officially commenced its first-ever direct charter flights to transport Sierra Leonean pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj season, highlighting the deepening ties between Egypt and Sierra Leone. The announcement was made by Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EGYPTAIR Holding Company, who confirmed that the airline has signed a historic agreement with the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA). The deal allows EGYPTAIR to operate dedicated flights from Freetown-Lungi International Airport to the holy cities of Jeddah and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This milestone partnership comes at a pivotal time as EGYPTAIR celebrates its 93rd anniversary, having been founded on May 7, 1932. It stands as Africa and the Middle East’s first airline and the world’s seventh, maintaining a strong legacy of safe and reliable service.

“This collaboration is a testament to the mutual trust and enduring friendship between Egypt and Sierra Leone,” Captain Ahmed Adel stated. “It not only enhances air connectivity but also supports the shared vision of advancing cooperation with African nations across various sectors, particularly civil aviation.”

The agreement builds on the momentum generated by the recent state visit of Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, to Egypt in March 2025. During the three-day diplomatic visit, key discussions were held to deepen bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced economic and infrastructural cooperation.

Madam Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), played a crucial role in advancing aviation relations between the two countries. As part of President Bio’s delegation, she held strategic meetings in Cairo with key aviation stakeholders, including Captain Sameh El Hefny, President of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority and Amr Adawy, Head of Commercial at EgyptAir.

One major outcome of these engagements was the initiation of negotiations for a regular flight route between Freetown and Cairo. Madam Musayeroh Barrie emphasized the economic and tourism potential of such a route, stating, “We are in the advanced stages of negotiations with EgyptAir for direct flights between Freetown and Cairo. This initiative will boost connectivity, encourage trade and tourism, and open new opportunities for Sierra Leone.”

The partnership has been described as highly productive and forward-looking, with discussions also covering joint training programs, technical support and knowledge exchange to bolster Sierra Leone’s aviation capacity.

Meanwhile, preparations for the 2025 Hajj season are well underway in Sierra Leone. According to the Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj, Alhaji Murtada Sesay, approximately 2,000 Sierra Leonean pilgrims are expected to perform this year’s Hajj, which runs from June 4 to June 9, 2025 (8th to 12th Dhul-Hijjah, 1446 AH). This includes 600 pilgrims from within Sierra Leone and 1,400 from the diaspora.

A special batch of 100 pilgrims, beneficiaries of the Saudi Royal Hajj Scholarship, will depart Freetown on May 30, 2025. The first diaspora pilgrims (78) are expected to arrive in Medina on May 19, followed by the first group of 300 Sierra Leone-based pilgrims via EGYPTAIR on May 28 and another 300 on May 29. Additional groups from the diaspora will travel on staggered dates.

Medical screenings for pilgrims are 95% complete, with an extension running until May 19. A medical team consisting of three doctors, three nurses and one pharmacist will accompany the pilgrims to provide critical healthcare support throughout the pilgrimage.

EGYPTAIR’s expanded role in this year’s Hajj operations also includes the transportation of pilgrims from Mali and Palestine, reinforcing the airline’s prominent standing in both African and Arab aviation sectors.

The collaboration between Sierra Leone and Egypt, particularly through aviation, marks a new chapter of strategic engagement. Under the leadership of President Bio and with the commitment of aviation professionals like Madam Musayeroh Barrie, Sierra Leone is steadily positioning itself as a dynamic player in regional and international air transport.

As both countries look ahead, this aviation partnership is expected to fuel economic growth, improve mobility and further solidify diplomatic and commercial ties between Cairo and Freetown. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/egyptair-slcaa-sign-agreement-to-transport-pilgrims-for-the-first-time/