With its 3,353-metre runway, Roberts International Airport (ROB) is Liberia’s main airport. Yet, to date, it still does not hold the ICAO certification required for its operation. The authorities are now targeting compliance by the fourth quarter of 2026.

Beyond the regulatory issue itself, this process represents a credibility test for Monrovia. It is intended to address the oversight weaknesses identified by ICAO — with an effective implementation rate of just 27.4% — and to reposition Roberts International in a West African market where competition between airport platforms is intensifying.

A Regulatory Gap That Is Weighing on Attractiveness

The announcement made on March 3 by Ernest R. Hughes, Director General of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), marks an important step in Roberts International’s compliance roadmap.

Unlike regional airports such as Dakar, Abidjan and Accra, ROB has operated for several decades without certification under ICAO Annex 14. This situation represents both a regulatory and commercial handicap for the country’s main international gateway.

The shortfall is particularly visible in the area of safety oversight. During ICAO’s latest USOAP audit, conducted in 2022, Liberia recorded an effective implementation rate of 27.4%, well below the global average of 60%. This weakness limits the country’s ability to attract new long-haul operators and negotiate air transport liberalisation agreements.

The assignment entrusted to HAAB Aviation Consultancy fits into this broader effort. It covers infrastructure assessment, staff training and support in preparing the certification application. The objective is notably to provide airlines, insurers and aircraft lessors with the necessary assurances regarding the airport’s safety and compliance standards.

Three Priorities to Bring ROB Up to Standard: Safety, Energy and Security

The programme launched by the LAA is based on several major investments.

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