By: Jessica Cox
MONROVIA, Liberia — The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) has unveiled a US$59 million five-year strategic plan aimed at addressing aviation safety deficiencies, upgrading airport infrastructure and improving the country’s competitiveness in regional air transport.
The 2027–2031 plan was launched on October 14, 2026, at the Boulevard Palace in Monrovia. It outlines measures to strengthen safety and security, improve passenger services, modernize airport operations and expand revenue generation.
Presenting the strategy, consultant Paul Collins said an assessment of the authority’s performance following a 2022 audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) placed Liberia at 27 percent, well below the level the plan seeks to achieve.
According to Collins, the strategy targets 85 percent effective implementation by 2030, with an emphasis on addressing outstanding safety findings and implementing recommendations from previous assessments.
He said the proposed US$59 million investment would be required in addition to the national budget to finance critical improvements needed to bring the authority closer to international aviation standards.
The plan identifies five priority areas: aviation safety and air navigation, security infrastructure, passenger services, institutional governance and digital integration, and revenue diversification.
Among the immediate priorities are replacing navigation equipment, improving air traffic control systems, strengthening airport firefighting and rescue capabilities, upgrading passenger and baggage screening, and installing security infrastructure.
Collins also highlighted the need to improve perimeter fencing and surveillance at Roberts International Airport (RIA), citing concerns about unauthorized access to airport property and land encroachment.
He said the authority must also address environmental and operational challenges, including those involving birds around airport facilities, while improving its readiness for international aviation security assessments.
The strategy seeks to increase passenger traffic to 500,000 annually by the end of the implementation period through improved airport services, digital systems and operational efficiency.
It also proposes expanding cargo-handling and logistics services to take advantage of Liberia’s geographical location and strengthen the country’s role in regional trade.
According to the presentation, the authority expects to increase revenue from non-aeronautical activities to more than 45 percent by 2030. These activities may include commercial services and other business operations associated with airport facilities.
The plan further targets an improvement in the ratio of operating cash revenue to operating costs, from 1.30 to 1.59, and full performance of existing concessions.
Collins said the strategy places particular emphasis on logistics and cargo development, noting that Liberia may face difficulties competing with larger regional airports in passenger volume in the short term.
The proposed improvements also include establishing cold-chain cargo facilities to support the handling and transportation of agricultural products.
The LAA expects to mobilize the required funding through several sources, including public-private partnerships, concession arrangements, multilateral development banks, donor grants, government allocations and reinvestment of internally generated revenue.
The funding framework presented by Collins allocates 45 percent of the anticipated investment to public-private partnerships and concessions, 30 percent to multilateral banks and donor grants, 15 percent to government support and 10 percent to internally generated revenue.
He stressed that sustained financial support would be critical to implementing the plan, particularly during its initial years, when safety and security improvements are expected to require significant investment.
The strategy also calls for stronger financial management, automated administrative systems, improved human resource capacity and the adoption of internationally recognized accounting standards.
To monitor implementation, the LAA plans to use 15 key performance indicators across the five strategic areas. Progress is expected to be reviewed quarterly by executive management, with governance committees conducting reviews twice a year.
Collins said the monitoring framework would require documented corrective measures when implementation falls behind established targets.
Beyond Roberts International Airport, the strategy also covers domestic airports, including facilities in Greenville, Harper and other parts of the country.
The plan identifies domestic airport development as important to decentralization, emergency response and improved connectivity between Liberia and the wider subregion.
It also proposes exploring build-operate-transfer public-private partnership arrangements and strengthening energy resilience to address operational challenges, including unreliable electricity supply.
Speaking at the launch, LAA Managing Director Ernest R. Hughes said the authority must prepare for an airport system capable of supporting tourism, trade, investment and stronger international connections.
Hughes emphasized that infrastructure development alone would not guarantee success, pointing to the importance of staff commitment, management leadership, board oversight and cooperation with airlines, development partners, private businesses and surrounding communities.
He described the strategic plan as a commitment to improved service delivery, accountability, innovation and higher operational standards.
Representing the Deputy Managing Director for Administration, Human Resources Manager Francis F. Parker also called for greater investment in employees, stronger coordination among departments and a culture of professionalism and transparency.
Parker said the plan’s success would depend on translating its objectives into practical activities and measurable improvements rather than allowing the document to remain unimplemented.
The launch comes ahead of a proposed 8.6 million, three-year partnership involving Liberia, the European Union and Germany, scheduled to begin on October 30, 2026, to support improvements in aviation safety and security infrastructure at Roberts International Airport.
The extent to which the LAA achieves its targets will depend on securing the proposed financing, addressing outstanding safety deficiencies and maintaining effective oversight throughout the five-year implementation period.
