AYV News, February 26, 2026
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has unanimously ratified Agreements between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and ECOWAS, aimed at harmonising and liberalising air transport across the region.
The following agreements were ratified by Parliament;
1. Supplementary Act A/SP.3/02/12 Relating to the Common Rules on Liberalisation of Market Access to Ground Handling Services in Airports of ECOWAS Member States
2. Supplementary Act A/SA/SP.4/02/12 Relating to the Common RULES Determining Slot Allocation at Airports in ECOWAS Member States
3. Supplementary Act A/SP.5/02/12 Relating to the Common Rules on Air Carrier Liability in case of Accident in ECOWAS Member States
4. Supplementary Act A/SP.10/02/12 Relating to the Common Rules on the Approval of Air Carriers of ECOWAS Member States
5. Supplementary Act A/SP.6/02/12 Relating to the Common Rules on Tariffs Applicable to passengers, Freight and Mail for Air Transport within, from and to ECOWAS Member States
6. Supplementary Act A/SP.3/02/12 Relating to the Common Rules on Compensation to passengers in the Event of Denied Boarding, Cancellation or Major Delay of Flights ECOWAS Member States
7. Supplementary Act A/SP.8/02/Relating to the Common Rules on the Conditions of Access to the Air Transport Markets in ECOWAS Member States.
8. Supplementary Act A/SP.9/02/12 Relating to the Common Rules on Certain Categories of Agreements, Decisions and Concerted Practices Relating to Rules of Competition in Air Transport Services within ECOWAS Member States and
9. Supplementary Act A/SP.11/02/12 Relating to the Common Rules on Aviation Security in ECOWAS Member States.
Presenting the agreements to the House, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonapha, described the ratification of the document as a significant step towards Sierra Leone’s air travel sector and overall economic development.
He informed Parliament that the agreements stem from high-level ECOWAS engagements in Abuja, which focused on strategies to reduce the cost of air travel in the region. Deputy Minister Bhonapha emphasised that ECOWAS has recommended that all Member States should implement these supplementary aviation acts to ensure full security and safety in air travel.
He stressed that compliance with these regional policies it is required of all Member States to guarantee the enhancement and safety of the aviation industry across West Africa.
Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of Opposition, Hon. Aaron Koroma, welcomed the protocols, noting their necessity in reducing the high cost of air travel in Sierra Leone. He affirmed that a treaty providing clear guidelines on safety for all ECOWAS Member States is beneficial for everyone. While acknowledging an increase in flight traffic, Hon. Koroma highlighted the urgent need to improve and expand the country’s airport infrastructure.
“We are relatively lagging in terms of the security of our airport,” he cautioned. He called for more investment in the aviation sector and encouraged the Ministry of Transport to bring forth the necessary regulations to support and enforce the ratified protocols.
Concluding the debate for the government, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma, spoke on the broader vision of liberalising Africa’s air transport system. He assured that the government would develop mechanisms to address the challenges frequently faced by air passengers.
Hon. Nyuma reiterated the critical importance of the agreements, noting that they include comprehensive provisions to tackle unforeseen challenges. He urged the Ministry of Transport to ensure the full enforcement of the ratified protocols and called on his parliamentary colleagues to perform robust oversight functions on all agreements, treaties, and protocols ratified by the House.
