Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Air Sierra Leone has issued a press release addressing the cancellation of its flight on Monday, September 29, 2025, from London Gatwick and the subsequent events involving passengers at the airport.
The airline acknowledged that there had been misleading accounts circulating and aimed to provide a transparent, factual statement.
Sierraloaded previously reported how Dozens of passengers, including infants and the elderly, were left stranded at London’s Gatwick Airport after the airline’s flight was canceled due to technical issues with the aircraft.
Eye witnesses told Sierraloaded that passengers, including “babies, special needs children and the elderly,” were stranded at the airport after the crew announced the technical problem nearly three hours after passengers had reached the boarding gate.
Responding, Air Sierra Leone sincerely apologized for the inconvenience caused saying the initial delay was first attributed to the pilot falling ill, necessitating a crew change—information the airline states was communicated to passengers promptly.
However, a subsequent thorough preflight check by a new onboard engineering team identified technical concerns with the GPS system. In the interest of safety, the flight was ultimately cancelled to ensure the integrity of the aircraft.
The airline confirmed that it took steps to support affected passengers, including: Automatic rebooking on the next Air Sierra Leone service, Food and drink vouchers at the airport, Complimentary hotel accommodation, Reimbursement for passengers who chose to return home and Rebooking on alternative airlines for those requiring urgent travel.
Air Sierra Leone noted that while it recognized passengers were understandably frustrated, some expressed this verbally and led to the airline’s staff experiencing a “high level of abuse.”
The press release further detailed a serious incident involving a group of passengers: “a group of 19 passengers refused to leave the airport and barricaded the gate, demanding immediate rebooking or alternative travel arrangements.”
The airline stated that by 3:00 AM, it was not possible to confirm an alternative travel date for the group. The actions of these passengers led Gatwick Airport authorities to involve the police, in accordance with standard procedures for handling such disturbances.
Air Sierra Leone concluded its statement by valuing its customers, committing to smooth operations, and prioritizing safety. The airline asked passengers to “remain calm and understanding during unforeseen events” and encouraged anyone aggrieved to contact their office directly.
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