Series: Guardian Africa network
A humanitarian corridor between London and Sierra Leone is to open in two weeks to help tackle the Ebola epidemic after an African airline decided to resume flights to the country.
Gambia Bird will fly twice a week from Gatwick from 17 October, raising much-needed capacity for aid workers, business travellers and health supplies to a country where the disease is now out of control.
It will be the first direct commercial route opened since August, when both Gambia Bird and British Airways suspended flights because of the perceived risk of contagion.
Only two airlines currently fly to Freetown – the Lufthansa owned Brussels Airlines and Royal Air Maroc.
World leaders and experts on disease control gathered in London on Thursday to discuss the outbreak, as reports emerged suggesting that Ebola was spreading at the rate of five new cases an hour in Sierra Leone.
NGOs raised concerns about the lack of flights to affected areas in August, claiming it would further isolate communities and make it difficult to get staff and supplies into the country.
“This is a big step forward. It is highly significant. It will increase the options, reduce the costs in time and in terms of getting resources out there,” said Tom Dannatt, the founder of the British charity Street Child.
“At the moment, DfID [the Department for International Development] are encouraging NGOs to set up triage centres, but the question is how do you get the equipment out there. So good on Gambia Bird for showing a bit of African solidarity and shame on British Airways.”
He said the decision would sent an important message to international communities about the perceived danger of flying to Freetown.
Gambia Bird’s main agent in the UK, Kevin McPhillips Travel, said the airline had “listened carefully to advice from leading international organisations, such as the UN and World Health Organisation, as well as IATA, the airline industry body, who have all stated it is important to maintain such air links.
“At the same time, they are ensuring they follow rigorous procedures before, during and after flights to ensure the health and safety of passengers and crew, which is of course paramount.”