It operated scheduled domestic, regional and international services.

Sierra Leone Airways was founded as Sierra Leone's national carrier in 1958 when the government withdrew from the regional West African Airways Corporation partnership with Nigeria, Ghana, and the Gambia.

[4] In early 2004 the airline experienced some problems with its United Kingdom Sales and Reservations structures which were restructured.

They also intended to commence flights to Dubai with connections through Banjul and Conakry[6] In early 2005 the Sierra Leone Airports Authority claimed that SNA owed them US$800,000 in charges for landing fees, electricity, rent and ground handling services and complained that the refusal to pay the debts is affecting their operations.

They won a court case against the airline but the government stopped the process.