Liberia has launched a 20-year civil aviation modernisation plan to transform the Liberia aviation sector, accelerate Roberts International Airport upgrades and advance the Liberia aviation modernisation plan 2025-2045. This is after the International Civil Aviation Organisation raised concerns about Liberia aviation safety standards.
Safety Reform, Infrastructure Modernisation and Workforce Development
On Jan. 13, 2026, the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority revealed their 20-year Liberia civil aviation modernisation plan to rebuild international confidence in the Liberia aviation sector after years of underinvestment following the civil war.
A key priority of the plan is improving ICAO safety oversight Liberia, after a 2022 International Civil Aviation Organization audit gave the country a safety oversight score of 27.4%, well below the 60% global benchmark. The strategy includes regulatory reforms to bring Liberia closer to ICAO standards and to attract foreign airlines and international investment.
Major upgrades at Roberts International Airport are planned alongside improvements at James Spriggs Payne Airfield and domestic aerodromes. These upgrades include better navigational aids, improved airport facilities, and modernised operational systems under the Liberia aviation modernisation plan 2025-2045.
Developing local aviation skills is the third pillar of the Liberia civil aviation modernisation plan, with new training programmes planned for air traffic controllers, technical staff, and aviation managers. The training and planning will be supported by Brakkam Aviation Management, led by former Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport manager, Miguel Southwell, working with international aviation training partners.
Domestic Airline Revival, Regional Connectivity and Sustainability Goals
To help people travel more easily within the Liberia aviation sector, the government has partnered with South Korea’s MAKE Group to bring in five commercial aircraft. Three will operate domestic routes across the country, while two will be used for executive and international charter flights. This move follows the collapse of Liberia’s national airline, Air Liberia, in 2006.
The Liberia aviation modernisation plan 2025-2045, also aims to strengthen regional connectivity, with proposed air links from Monrovia to neighbouring capitals including Freetown, Conakry, Banjul, and Bissau. Liberia is also aligning its policies with the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and ECOWAS aviation regulations to make travel and trade easier across West Africa.
Environmental measures are planned in the Liberia civil aviation modernisation plan. These include ‘green airport’ initiatives and plans to explore Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Aviation is expected to support Liberia’s national ARREST Agenda by boosting tourism, trade, and foreign investment.
The Liberia Civil Aviation Authority said the Liberia civil aviation modernisation plan will be reviewed regularly, allowing it to adapt to new technology, rising passenger demand and changes in the global aviation industry through 2045.
Read more about he UK’s recent green aviation investment plan here.
Do you think Liberia’s 20-year aviation plan can transform the country’s air transport sector? What should the government focus on next? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
