– LCAA Holds Exploratory Talks with Them
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) appears to be creating a new era of air travel. Recently, the entity welcomed a delegation from Turkish Airlines to discuss the possibility of launching scheduled flights to Liberia.
LCAA Director-General, Mr. Julius Dennis, Jr., greeted the Turkish team with enthusiasm. He emphasized the importance of increased air connectivity for Liberia’s economy, especially for tourism. This sector is a vital part of the government’s development agenda.
During the talks, Director-General Dennis pointed out a unique opportunity. Turkish Airlines could benefit from the presence of MNG Gold, a major Turkish investor in Liberia. He believes that this partnership could boost travel demand significantly.
Mr. Aytekin Serbest, General Manager of Turkish Airlines in Accra, Ghana, shared insights about the airline’s impressive global reach. With flights to 268 international destinations in 131 countries, Turkish Airlines is a major player in the aviation industry. Currently, they operate 12 weekly flights to Accra and are optimistic about extending their services to Liberia.
Joining the conversation was Mr. Serhan Uuushan, CEO of Bea Mountain, another apt Turkish investor in Liberia. He highlighted how Turkish Airlines could enhance his company’s operations, particularly in staff travel and logistics.
Both the LCAA and Turkish Airlines agreed to initiate the formal process for granting an operating license. This will begin once Turkish Airlines submits a formal application to the LCAA.
The Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) is the government agency responsible for regulating and promoting civil aviation in Liberia. The entity (LCAA) says it is committed to regulating and promoting civil aviation in Liberia, and its focus remains on ensuring the safety, security, and efficiency of air travel while fostering sustainable growth in the aviation sector.
Ethiopian Airlines Returns to Liberia
After more than a decade, Ethiopian Airlines officially resumed flights to Liberia late last month. The momentous occasion took place on Saturday, November 30, 2024, when a Boeing 787-8 touched down at Robert International Airport. The flight arrived from Addis Ababa with 261 eager passengers on board.
Ethiopian Airlines will connect with Liberia three times a week: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. At the inaugural ceremony held at Robert International Airport in Lower Margibi County, President Joseph N. Boakai hailed the resumption of flights as a “reopening of air route” in Liberia. “The arrival of Ethiopian Airlines signifies much more than just reopening a route,” he stated. “It is a powerful symbol of friendship between our two countries, rooted in respect and shared African heritage.”
Lemma Yadecha, Ethiopian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, reflected on the airline’s long-standing relationship with Monrovia. He noted that Ethiopian Airlines first began service to Liberia in November 1966.
Since then, he said, Ethiopian Airlines has built a legacy of trust and reliability. The strong ties between the two nations have only deepened over the years.
With the return of Ethiopian Airlines and ongoing talks regarding the possibility of Turkish Airlines launching scheduled flights to Liberia, it seems that the West African state (Liberia) looks forward to a new epoch of air journey.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines (Turkish or legally Türk Hava Yolları Anonim Ortaklığı, is the flag carrier of Turkey. As of June 2024, it operates scheduled services to 352 destinations (incl. cargo) in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas. The airline serves more destinations non-stop from a single airport than any other airline in the world and flies to 131 countries, more than any other airline. With an operational fleet of 24 cargo aircraft, the airline’s cargo division, Turkish Cargo, serves 82 destinations.
Turkish Airlines was established on 20 May 1933 as Turkish State Airlines (Turkish: Devlet Hava Yolları)[18] as a department of the Ministry of National Defense.[19] The airline’s initial fleet consisted of two five-seat Curtiss Kingbirds, two four-seat Junkers F-13s, and one ten-seat Tupolev ANT-9. In 1935, the airline was turned over to the Ministry of Public Works and was subsequently renamed General Directorate of State Airlines. Three years later, in 1938, it became part of the Ministry of Transportation.
