On July 17, 2024, the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority – LCAA and the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) co-hosted a delegation of ambassadors, including representatives from the United States, Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, France, Cameroon, the European Union, and Brussels Airlines. This gathering focused on collaborative efforts to improve operational efficiency and passengers’ experience at the Roberts International Airport (RIA).

In his welcome remarks, the Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority – LAA, Mr. Jeror H. Mends-Cole expressed his excitement over the meeting; he revealed that the RIA has major constraints, and appealed to partners for assistance, in order to enhance the operations of the airport and keep it functional.

The general discussions centered on critical areas for development, including infrastructure upgrades in key passenger terminals, the implementation of advanced security screening technology, and the development of training programs to enhance customer service for airport staff. The international community expressed strong support for these initiatives, with several ambassadors highlighting potential areas for technical assistance and resource allocation.

The LCAA and LAA acknowledged the valuable partnership with the international community, and emphasized their commitment to implementing these actions, to upgrade the standard of the Roberts International Airport. The coming months will see the launch of a joint task force dedicated to overseeing project implementation and ensuring a smooth and efficient modernization process at the RIA.

By working together, the LCAA, LAA, and the international community aim to position RIA as a premier aviation hub in West Africa, offering a safe, secure, and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Director General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Julius Dennis emphasized that safety and security are the major concerns of the entity, as he looks forward working with all stakeholders for the smooth operations of the Roberts International Airport; he divulged  that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai considers the RIA very close to his heart; the LCAA boss also stressed the need for recurrent training, and humbly appealed to stakeholders to help alleviate the multiple problems the airport faces.

During the meeting, Mr. Mark Quiah, the Deputy Managing Director for Operations at the Roberts International Airport did a PowerPoint presentation, showcasing some of the gains of the RIA, as well as its numerous challenges and future plans.

In response, the German Ambassador to Liberia, Dr. Jakob Haselhuber said he was also pleased that the meeting was held; he thanked the LCAA and the LAA for their very frank appeal.

After the interactive stakeholders’ meeting, the Ambassadors were taken on a guided tour of the airport, to view its facilities and get full disclosure; this was a follow-up meeting, to evaluate the overall state of the Roberts International Airport, after similar engagement was held in January 2022.