His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio will today open the New Freetown International Airport situated in Lungi, Port Loko district for operations.

Arif Erdem Arikan, General Manager of the SUMMA Construction Company – managing affairs of the airport said: “Commencing operations today, the new airport is expected to turnover a passenger volume of over 1.2 million people yearly”.

Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Dr. Samuel S. Jibao said the Authority has visited the facility to ascertain the adequacy of facilities for customs operations. He said the Authority is satisfied with the facilities provided for customs, and the fact that the new Airport will meet all international standards required for customs operations.

The new airport is fitted with facilities such as quay space, cranes, airfield ramp access, temporary storage sheds, customs offices, transport services, clearing and forwarding services, adequate security and cargo inspection facilities as specified in Section 7(4) of the Customs Act 2011, to enable customs handle volumes of trade and passenger traffic and the collection of the much-needed revenue.

Some of the facilities provided by the New Airport include: Customs Offices – for outbound passengers- to enable customs witness scanning of baggage by Aviation Security to curb smuggling, Customs Offices – for inbound passengers to enable customs scan and inspect baggage, assess declarations, conduct preliminary investigations, store intercepted goods and office for Customs Management, Customs Offices – for Air-freighted Cargo – Import which is located within the Cargo Terminal.

It has scanners and x-ray facilities, cold rooms/storage facilities for refrigerated goods as well as mortuary for human remains, clearing and forwarding office – for customs brokers in the cargo terminal.