KQ, British Airways cancel flights to Sierra Leone

At least 100 passengers have been reported stranded after two major airlines announced suspension of flights to Sierra Leone.

British Airways and Kenya Airways cancelled flights after a UN aviation regulatory agency decision to downgrade the Lungi International Airport.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation discovered that the only functioning fire engine at the airport was broken.

Security issues

The British airline and KQ are the top two international carriers to Sierra Leone.

"We are working very hard to fix the faulty gearbox system of the fire engine and to add to the fleet," John Sesay, General Manager of the Sierra Leone Airports Authority, told Reuters.

Lungi Airport has only recently completed major renovations in terms of its facilities but continues to face security issues.