By Mariama Kandeh

One of British Mediterranean airlines bmi has Friday commenced direct flight from London-Heathrow airport in the United Kingdom to Freetown International airport in Sierra Leone .

Sales Manager Joe Oshiapem said the launch of the direct flight was in fulfillment of the airline's Chief Executive Officer Nigel Turner's promise during his last visit to Sierra Leone that bmi is in the country to stay and to help contributes towards developing the economy.

Oshiapem said the airline will be using its newly leased boeing 757-200 aircraft adding that this aircraft is larger and will accommodate 38 passengers at business class and 138 at economic class.

He said the flight will encourage an excess luggage of 50 kilo for business class and 40 for economic class.

Bmi's airport manager and local representative Francis Vandy said the flight will leave terminal one of the London airport and will be flying to and from Freetown four days a week including Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

He said Astreaus airline has stopped flying to Freetown but passengers can join bmi for a direct trip to the United Kingdom .

Public relations Officer Sierra Leone Airport Authority Mohamed Swarray said other airlines should emulate the example of bmi. He said the more flights the country has the more revenue will be generated to boost Sierra Leone 's economy.