IPNEWS: Again, there are growing fears that Liberia is once more returning to years of isolation.

In April 2022, Air France officially announced that it would cease its operation in Monrovia.  This followed March 9, 2022, meeting by Mr. Jean-Marc Pouchol, Air France Vice President for Africa, and Mr. Jean-Luc Mevellec, Regional Director of West Africa, with Mr. Samuel A. Wlue, Minister of Transport, the Republic of Liberia at Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris, France to inform about the Air France operations to Liberia.

At that meeting, Air France stated that based on the economic performance, the current geopolitical situation, and Air France-KLM’s overall plan to restore its profitability, Air France has decided to suspend its flights to Monrovia, Liberia, as of the end of April 2022.

Customers already booked on flights after the end of April will be informed individually and customers concerned could change their travel plans or cancel the trip and request a refund.

Air France further thanked the government of Liberia and the airport authorities for their continued support in the operation of this route.

Like Air France, Africa World Airlines (AWA), stated that due to recent developments within the region and beyond, have necessitated a review of the domestic and regional operations, with particular focus on extended flights to Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Monrovia, Liberia.

The AWA Management also noted that due to rising fuel prices have resulted in higher than anticipated operating costs on all routes but especially for flights to Freetown and Monrovia.

“In order to remain competitive and for business sustainability, we are in the process of restructuring our route network to suit our fleet capacity. The resulting schedules will necessitate the temporary suspension of flights to Freetown and Monrovia effective 15th September 2022, for the remainder of this year.”

“This unfortunate decision is hard fought and quite regrettable at a time when we pay particular attention to serving our cherished customers and business partners in these regions. Customers with bookings or pre-financed tickets for these routes should kindly contact their booking agents or local Africa World Airlines offices for assistance and additional information.”

“We take this opportunity to express gratitude to all stakeholders who have facilitated our operation to Freetown and Monrovia, and greatly appreciate the patience afforded us during our planned temporary absence on these routes.” Africa World Airlines (AWA), a statement by its regional office based in Accra, Ghana, announced.

Now the departure of Africa World Airlines (AW), which made two flights destinations to Monrovia, leaves Liberia hosting only five airlines weekly, including the Royal Air Maroc (AT which recently resume flights twice weekly into Liberia after six months of suspension

Those flights that are still available are Brussels Airlines (SN), which makes three flight destinations weekly, followed by Air Cote D’Ivoire (HF), with two flight destinations weekly.

ASKY Airlines (KP), and Kenya Airways which routed to Monrovia three times weekly have all reduced their flight schedule to a one-time flight destination weekly.

The repeated departure of airlines to Liberia has heightened fears among travelers to Liberia, amidst the deplorable roads, coupled with constant power outages at the Roberts International Airport.

Roberts International Airport is the largest airport in Liberia. Monrovia Airport has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 7 destinations in 7 countries