Institutions and audits
Sierra Leone civil aviation laws: Acts, regulations and treaties
Short answer
- Main law
- Civil Aviation Act 2023, Act No. 27 of 2023 1
- Signed
- 12 April 2023, by President Julius Maada Bio 1
- Gazette
- Supplement to the Sierra Leone Gazette Vol. CLXIV No. 41, 29 June 2023 1
- Law it replaced
- Civil Aviation Act 2019, Act No. 7 of 2019 1
- Regulations
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Regulations, mostly effective 5 February 2024 5
- Airports Authority law
- Act No. 8 of 1988 7
- Montreal Convention
- In force for Sierra Leone from 24 January 2016 8
A chain of Acts
The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority says it was created by the Civil Aviation Act 2008 in April 2008, after an ICAO audit in May 2006 4. The Civil Aviation Act 2019, Act No. 7 of 2019, was signed on 29 August 2019 and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 64 of the same date 3. Its long title says it repealed and replaced a Civil Aviation Act of 2017 3.
The Civil Aviation Act 2023 repeals and replaces the 2019 Act, its long title says 1. The copy on the SLCAA website shows a heading for the date of commencement but gives no date 1.
| Law | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Airports Authority Act, Act No. 8 of 1988 7 | 1988 7 | Cited by the Airports Authority as its founding law 7 |
| Civil Aviation Act 2008 4 | April 2008 4 | Historical. Created SLCAA 4 |
| Civil Aviation Act 2017 3 | 2017 3 | Repealed by the 2019 Act 3 |
| Civil Aviation Act 2019, Act No. 7 3 | 29 August 2019 3 | Repealed by the 2023 Act 1 |
| Civil Aviation Act 2023, Act No. 27 1 | Signed 12 April 2023, gazetted 29 June 2023 1 | Live 1,2 |
How the 2023 Act is laid out
The 2023 Act has 185 sections 1. Section 2 applies it to anything in or over Sierra Leone, to Sierra Leone citizens and to people on aircraft registered in Sierra Leone or run by a Sierra Leone operator 1. The SLCAA copy used for this page could be read only up to section 103, so later sections are listed by heading 1.
- Parts II to V cover the Authority, its powers, staff and funds 1
- Part VIII covers safety, including air operator certificates and personnel licences 1
- Part IX sets up the Sierra Leone Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau 1
- Part X covers economic rules, with section 107 on charges, section 108 on the Montreal Convention and section 109 on insurance 1
- Part XI covers aerodromes, Part XII aviation security, with section 124 on passenger data systems, and Part XIII offences 1
- Sections 142 to 185 include section 154 on airport and related charges, section 183 on repeals and section 185 on regulations 1
Penalties in the Act
The Act sets fines in US dollars 1. These are examples from the sections that could be read 1.
| Offence | Section | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Obstructing the Authority or giving false answers 1 | 18(7) 1 | Fine not exceeding US$5,000, prison up to 12 months, or both 1 |
| Air transport without an air operator certificate 1 | 56(2) 1 | Fine not exceeding US$50,000, prison up to 10 years, or both 1 |
| Unlicensed crew or engineers 1 | 57(4) 1 | Fine not exceeding US$25,000, prison up to 10 years, or both 1 |
Unpaid charges and aircraft detention
Section 48 lets the Authority detain an aircraft over unpaid airport or air navigation charges 1. If the charges are still unpaid 60 days after detention, it may sell the aircraft with leave of the court 1. It must not detain an aircraft where the operator disputes the charges and gives sufficient security 1.
The 2019 Act gave SLCAA 3% of the Airports Authority's monthly income after operating and maintenance costs, under section 32(1)(f) 3. The list of funds in section 32(1) of the 2023 Act does not include that item 1.
Regulations made under the Act
Section 17 lets the Director General issue directives, orders, rules and regulations 1. The SLCAA regulations page listed over 40 regulation documents when viewed on 24 October 2026, most with an effective date of 5 February 2024 and some of 5 February 2025 or 6 February 2025 5. Part 20B, on consumer protection, states it was issued under sections 17(1) and 17(2)(a) 6.
- Part 9, Facilitation, and Part 17, Security 5
- Part 14A to 14E, on aerodrome standards, certification and establishment 5
- Part 18, safe transport of dangerous goods by air 5
- Part 20A, Economic Regulations, and Part 20B, Consumer Protection 5
- Part 26, air operator certification, and Part 27, foreign air operators 5
- Part 6D, unmanned aircraft systems 5
Treaties and where to read the law
The long title of the 2019 Act refers to the Chicago Convention of 1944 3. Section 15(2)(d) of the 2023 Act gives the Authority the task of keeping Sierra Leone in line with ICAO conventions, annexes and standards 1. ICAO lists Sierra Leone as a party to the 1999 Montreal Convention on air carrier liability, by accession deposited on 25 November 2015 8.
The SLCAA laws page carries the 2019 and 2023 Acts 2. The regulations page carries the SLCAR parts 5.
Common questions
What is the main aviation law in Sierra Leone?
The Civil Aviation Act 2023, Act No. 27 of 2023 1.
When did the Civil Aviation Act 2023 take effect?
It was signed on 12 April 2023 and gazetted on 29 June 2023. The SLCAA copy gives no commencement date 1.
Is Sierra Leone a party to the Montreal Convention?
Yes. ICAO lists its accession, in force from 24 January 2016 8.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority: Civil Aviation Act 2023, Act No. 27 of 2023 (gazetted 29 June 2023)
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority: Laws (viewed 24 October 2026)
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority: Civil Aviation Act 2019, Act No. 7 of 2019 (29 August 2019)
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority: About us (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority: Regulations (viewed 24 October 2026)
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority: SLCAR Part 20B, Consumer Protection Regulations (in force 5 February 2024)
- Sierra Leone Airports Authority: About Us (last modified 26 May 2025, viewed 24 October 2026)
- ICAO: Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, Montreal 1999, list of parties (limits effective 28 December 2024)
Related
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA)
The SLCAA's legal basis, functions, the charges it may levy under the Civil Aviation Act 2023, its EU air safety list status and audit findings.
- Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA)
What the Sierra Leone Airports Authority does, the 1988 law behind it, its place beside the Summa concession, and dated audit and ACC findings.
- ICAO safety and security audits of Sierra Leone aviation
What ICAO safety and security audits found in Sierra Leone, the help that followed, and the status of the EU air safety ban on Sierra Leone carriers.
- Freetown airport complaints, delays and lost baggage
Sierra Leone's passenger rights rules, airline complaint deadlines and Montreal Convention limits for lost, delayed or damaged bags at Freetown.
- Freetown airport concession: what is public about the Summa deal
What is on the record about the build, operate and transfer deal with Summa at Freetown International Airport, who does what, and what is not public.