Following a three-month absence, Slok Air International, a leading flight operator in The Gambia, is expected to resume full operations on Friday, 8th February 2008.

The airline, which has been out of operation since October last year due to reported technical problems, had taken its aircraft for maintenance work in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Described by many as a major boost not only for its customers but also for the airline industry in the country, the resumption of flights and normal operations is no doubt an indication of Slok Air management’s steadfast approach towards providing valuable services to people.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Banjul International Airport shortly after the return of the OBJ that had been undergoing maintenance in Addis Ababa, Mr. Paul Mendy, the Marketing Manager of Slok Air Gambia Limited assured customers that the airline is back on its normal schedule and would be expanding before too long.

Mr. Mendy added: “It has been difficult because there are lots of passengers who relied on Slok Air to get to different destinations. Our desire would have been to continue operations without interruption but I can assure you that we are back and are here to stay.”

Speaking earlier, Captain Victor Lemba, head of Flight Operations with Slok Air, assured customers that the airline is there to offer better and valuable services. “In coming back, I promise you all better services that will be unprecedented as all our staff have done all they can to ensure successful operations,” he added.

For his part, Kebba Lamin Jammeh, Director of Operations and Safety at Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), described the move as a challenging one. “Safety is a collective responsibility and that being the case, all stakeholders have to come on board and ensure safety is maintained at all times,” he said.

Mr. Jammeh assured Slok Air management of the support of his authority but was quick to add that they might be highlighting a few things here and there with the desired goal of making sure that things are done properly.

Other speakers at the occasion included Mr I.N.F. Akinjayeju, Head of Maintenance, Mr. David Dosunmu Cabin Service Manager and Mr. Lucky Igbundu, Country Manager Banjul.