By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Turkish Airlines on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, deployed a larger aircraft to Freetown International Airport (FIA) as part of efforts to resolve the issue of passengers’ luggage left behind on its previous flight to Sierra Leone.

The airline operated a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route, significantly increasing cargo capacity. As a result, the majority of delayed baggage was successfully transported to FIA, with only a few passengers’ items remaining outstanding.

Confirming the development, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Musayeroh Barrie, said the action fulfilled earlier commitments made by the airline and aviation authorities.

“True to our word and the arrangements announced earlier this month in our press release, Turkish Airlines deployed the B787 Dreamliner to address the left baggage issue,” Barrie stated.

She assured affected passengers that systems are in place to ensure the remaining luggage is delivered promptly and advised them to contact Sea Coach or Turkish Airlines directly for updates and further assistance.

The intervention follows weeks of coordination between the SLCAA and the airline to address passenger concerns and improve service delivery, particularly during the busy end-of-year travel period.

Barrie also used the opportunity to extend seasonal goodwill to travelers and the general public, wishing everyone happy holidays as air traffic continues to increase during the festive season.

The SLCAA has reiterated its commitment to protecting passenger rights and working closely with international airlines to ensure efficient, safe, and reliable air transport services to and from Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/as-turkish-airlines-deploys-larger-aircraft-to-resolve-baggage-backlog-slcaa-confirms-successful-arrival-of-delayed-luggage-following-dreamliner-operation/