When ICAO was tipped off that Freetown-Lungi International Airport’s (IATA: FNA / ICAO: GFLL) only fire engine had broken down, the global aviation regulatory agency was swift in downgrading the ranking of the airport, prompting almost immediate suspension of flights KQ 510/511 by Kenya Airways, which regularly flies to Freetown via Accra.

“If there is the slightest emergency and there is no fire engine that can have catastrophic consequences. Such negligence can be deadly, and the Sierra Leone airport operator is to blame for not ensuring that they have the required number of fire engines in place and keep them in good working order,” said a regular aviation source from Nairobi while passing along the message of Kenya Airways, for the time being, halting their flights to Freetown.

It could not be established how many passengers were affected by the move, which was taken entirely for safety reasons, and it is understood that once the fire engine has been repaired and inspected that Kenya Airways will resume operations to Sierra Leone.