SECURE SKIES, SMOOTH SUMMIT: TEMPORARY AIRPORT ACCESS IN EFFECT FOR ECOWAS 2026Freetown International Airport, Lungi To Operate Under Special Security And Traffic Plan From 17th To 19th July 2026

By David K.Fengai

As part of Sierra Leone’s hosting of the ECOWAS Summit, temporal security and traffic management arrangements will be in effect at Freetown International Airport, Lungi from 17th to the 19th July 2026.

Authorities confirm that commercial flights will continue to operate as scheduled. The temporary measures are designed to ensure the safe, secure, and efficient movement of delegates, passengers, and airport users throughout the high-level summit.

During this period, the following arrangements will apply:

• Sea Coach and SeaBird passengers should use the designated access route to the airport terminal and follow all directional signs and instructions from security personnel.
• Passengers traveling to Lungi by ferries or road should assemble at the old airport terminal, where shuttle buses will transport them to the main airport terminal using the designated route.
• Access to the airport terminal will be restricted to passengers with valid travel documents and authorized airport personnel only. Meeters and greeters will not be permitted access to the terminal during this period.
• All cargo received on 17th, 18th, and 19th July 2026 will be stored at the cargo terminal and will be available for collection from 20th July 2026.

Passengers are strongly encouraged to allow additional travel time and comply with all security and traffic management instructions from officials on the ground.

These temporal arrangements will support seamless logistics for ECOWAS delegates while maintaining normal flight operations.

Normal access arrangements will resume at the conclusion of the summit on 19th July 2026.