Robert International Airport Monrovia Liberia Travel Guide

So you're planning a trip to Monrovia, Liberia and are wondering what to expect at Robert International Airport. The airport is located about 5 miles southeast of Monrovia's city center.

Getting to the airport is relatively easy, with taxi services available from most major hotels and resorts. The drive typically takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic.

As you arrive at the airport, you'll notice that it's a relatively small facility, with a single terminal building that handles all international and domestic flights.

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The Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, Liberia has a modern terminal that's designed to handle a growing number of passengers. The terminal's unique architectural front view is truly impressive.

Check-in counters are available, but be prepared for potential long queues, as only a few counters were operating during my visit. The airport's security systems, including security video screening systems and CCTVs, ensure passenger safety.

The airport's waiting areas and other facilities are kept clean and well-maintained, adding a touch of comfort to the travel experience. Restrooms might not be the most modern, but they do have running water and tissue, which is always a plus.

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The facilities and infrastructure at Roberts International Airport are definitely worth mentioning. The terminal is a modern marvel with a unique architectural front view that's sure to impress.

The airport has recently undergone upgrades, bringing a fresh look and enhanced functionality to the terminal. Check-in counters are available, but be prepared for a long queue if you're one of the unlucky ones.

Security is taken seriously at RIA, with security video screening systems in front of the immigration gate and CCTVs scattered around the terminal. It's a bit like being in a spy movie, with cameras keeping a close watch on everything.

The airport's cleanliness and maintenance standards are impressive, especially considering its small size. Restrooms may not be the most modern, but they have running water and tissue, which is a plus.

Waiting areas and other facilities are kept clean and well-maintained, adding a touch of comfort to the travel experience.

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Roberts International Airport (RIA) has a limited selection of amenities to enhance passenger comfort.

There are no lounges within the airport terminal building, which was a surprising discovery for me during a 16-hour layover.

Two lounges are available around the premises, but I wouldn't call them very comfortable.

I stayed outside on the veranda of one of the lounges, which was essentially a restaurant with an outside seating area, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Passengers are not allowed inside the airport until 60 minutes before their flights, making it difficult to plan ahead.

I took a 2-hour and 30-minute trip from Mamba Point to RIA just to verify this information, and I'm glad I did.

A polite guard recommended I stay at the restaurant, as many passengers miss their flights due to arriving late.

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If you're planning a trip to Roberts International Airport, you might want to know about the nearby seaports with regular departures.

Roberts International Airport is conveniently located near several seaports, making it easy to travel by sea and land.

The closest seaport to the airport is LRMLW, which is only 50km away.

If you're looking for more options, SLFNA is about 403km away, while CISPY and GNCKY are 447km and 520km away, respectively.

Here's a list of the nearby seaports with their distances from Roberts International Airport:

At Robert International Airport in Monrovia, Liberia, you'll find a range of airport services to make your travel experience smoother.

The airport has a 24-hour information desk, where you can get assistance with flight information, airport facilities, and more. It's located near the arrivals hall.

You can also access free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, making it easy to stay connected while you wait for your flight.

My experience with the airport staff was a mixed bag. Several reviewers mentioned that they were extorted for money or forced to pay vaccination fees, with one reviewer even spending an extra $100.

The airport staff are known for being rude, unfriendly, and unprofessional. I was determined not to give a dollar if asked, as it's unfair for people to pay for an expensive flight and then be compelled to bribe airport staff.

Fortunately, I didn't get asked for money by the immigration officers. Unfortunately, I did have a strange experience that made me believe the stories about the disrespectful attitude of Liberian officers.

The incident involved a plastic wrapping machine, where I was quoted $5 by one of the staff. Before I could even finish telling them that I had the money in Liberian dollars, one of them walked away, laughing mockingly.

It's worth noting that the airport is very small, which might explain why there are only a handful of airlines in Liberia.

At Roberts International Airport, you'll find a variety of carriers that service the port. There are 5 carriers in total.

The departure frequency of these carriers varies, with ASKY operating every 1-2 days. Air Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya Airways, Air Peace, and Royal Air Maroc each operate 2-4 times a week.

If you're looking for more information on any of these carriers, you can click on the "More details" link next to their name.

Here's a list of the carriers that service Roberts International Airport, along with their departure frequencies:

At Roberts International Airport, the passenger experience can be quite quirky. We were expected to line up in front of the airport, regardless of the weather, at around 4 a.m. The wait was over 30 minutes, and we weren't even allowed to use the airport trolleys.

The airport staff had chained up the trolleys with a massive padlock, making it impossible for passengers to use them. I had to push my two big suitcases with my legs every other minute along the long line, which made me extremely moody due to the weight and sleeplessness at 5 a.m.

Once inside the airport, however, the check-in and boarding processes were surprisingly smooth. There was only one flight at a time, and for my flight, there were only passengers for Asky airlines. This meant that everyone was seated in the waiting room within minutes, and the process was fast, amazing, and stress-free.

At RIA, you can expect a pleasant surprise with the free Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal. The high-speed internet allows you to stay connected and entertained during your layover or wait.

You can use this free Wi-Fi to watch videos, including your favorite shows or spiritual sessions like the author's prayer sessions with the late Prophet T.B. Joshua.

Shopping at Roberts International Airport is a unique experience, to say the least! The airport features only two or three duty-free stores.

There's no dining options available inside the airport, so make sure you eat before you get there.

The duty-free shops showcase beautiful African arts, clothes, and a host of other interesting items.

You might find yourself on a treasure hunt for a shop attendant, as I did during my visit. They seem to be nowhere to be found!

Some stores specialize in selling drinks and unique items like adorable teddy bear pillows.

At Roberts International Airport, check-in and boarding can be a quirky experience. Passengers are expected to line up on the veranda, regardless of the weather, at around 4 a.m. for more than 30 minutes.

You'll be waiting outside, so dress accordingly and be prepared for the elements. The airport staff will signal when it's time to enter the airport.

Using airport trolleys is not allowed at Roberts International Airport. You'll need to push your bags with your legs along the long line, which can be a challenge, especially if you have heavy luggage or are feeling tired. I know from experience that it's exhausting to push heavy bags every few minutes.

The check-in and boarding processes inside the airport are surprisingly smooth. If there's only one flight at a time, like my experience with Asky airlines, the process is fast and stress-free. In fact, I was seated in the waiting room within minutes.

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Getting to Roberts International Airport (RIA) can be a bit of an adventure. The road to the airport is a mixed bag, with most of it being smooth and express, but also having sections with gravel and lots of stones.

You can expect to see a colorful assortment of taxis hanging out outside the airport gate. Don't expect to see any uniform yellow cabs.

The walk from the main gate to the terminal takes almost 15 minutes, so it's a good idea to pack light or use luggage with wheels. The pavement in front of the terminal is fully tarred, making rolling bags a breeze.

If you have big luggage, you'll need to pay an extra $3 for the taxi to make a U-turn closer to the terminal building.

Roberts International Airport in Liberia is a small but mighty hub, hosting a select group of international airlines that connect Liberia to key global destinations. Some of the prominent airlines operating at RIA include Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Air Côte d'Ivoire, Asky airlines, and Air Peace.

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These airlines offer a range of flights to various destinations, including Europe and Ethiopia. For instance, Brussels Airlines offers non-stop flights from Monrovia to Brussels, making it the only airline flying non-stop from Monrovia to Europe.

Here are some of the airlines flying from Monrovia:

One notable fact is that Asky, which operates from Lome, Togo airport, had surprisingly few flights from Liberia per week, with only two flights per week from Roberts International Airport.

Roberts International Airport in Liberia is a small but efficient hub for international flights. It connects Liberia to key global destinations with a select group of airlines.

Some of the prominent airlines operating at RIA include Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Air Côte d'Ivoire, Asky airlines, and Air Peace. These airlines provide a range of options for travelers.

Asky, for example, operates only two flights per week from Liberia, which is surprisingly low considering its reputation for having more than a dozen flights a day from Lome, Togo airport.

Here are some of the airlines flying from Monrovia:

There are also domestic flights and regional carriers that connect within Liberia and to neighboring countries, ensuring that Liberia remains linked to the world despite its small airport size.

If you're looking to travel from Monrovia, you'll find that some destinations require a stopover.

Monrovia has non-stop destinations listed above, but some popular destinations still require a stopover.

A stopover can actually be a great opportunity to explore a new city or country, and it's not always a bad thing.

Aside from non-stop destinations, popular destinations from Monrovia that require a stopover include those listed above.

Robert International Airport, located in Monrovia, Liberia, is a major airport that serves the country. It's an essential hub for both domestic and international flights.

The airport has two runways, one measuring 3,000 meters and the other 2,500 meters in length. These runways can accommodate a variety of aircraft.

Robert International Airport is equipped with modern navigation aids, including Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) systems. This ensures safe and efficient landing procedures.

The airport operates 24/7, with flights departing and arriving at all hours. This is convenient for passengers with early morning or late-night flights.

Robert International Airport has a single terminal building that handles all passenger traffic. The terminal is divided into two sections, one for international flights and the other for domestic flights.

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Airport Operations at Robert International Airport in Monrovia, Liberia are designed to handle a growing number of passengers and cargo. The airport has a single runway, which is 3,000 meters long and 45 meters wide.

Security is a top priority, with a dedicated security team and state-of-the-art equipment, including metal detectors and X-ray machines. The airport also has a dedicated customs and immigration area for international travelers.

The airport is open 24/7, with flights arriving and departing at all hours of the day and night.

The total cost of the new passenger terminal project at Roberts International Airport is $50m, while the runway refurbishment was completed at a cost of $30m.

Funding for the terminal project was provided by the China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank through a 22-month, $49.8m concessional loan.

The runway refurbishment project received significant funding from multiple sources, including the Saudi Fund for Development ($20m), the Arab Bank for Economic Development for Africa ($10m), and the Government of Liberia ($3m).

The European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed to provide a $27.3m loan over 20 years to support the rehabilitation project at the RIA in November 2014, with the contract finalized in February 2015.

The existing asphalt runway, built in the 1970s, was in a state of disrepair due to lack of maintenance, making it difficult for planes to land.

The runway and airfield lighting systems were upgraded to international civil aviation standards, and the rehabilitated runway is now capable of supporting heavy loads and improving air safety.

The existing asphalt aprons were expanded from 57,000m² to 85,000m², providing more space for aircraft to operate.

Airport operations involve a multitude of risks, including accidents and incidents that can have devastating consequences.

A notable example of this occurred on 3 February 1944, when a Vickers Wellington Bomber overshot the runway at Roberts Field in darkness and fog, resulting in the loss of all crew members.

The incident highlights the importance of proper training and equipment in preventing such accidents.

In 1967, a Varig Douglas DC-8-33 caught fire after a mistaken approach to Monrovia, resulting in the deaths of 51 passengers and crew members, as well as 5 people on the ground.

The aircraft missed the runway threshold by 1,836 meters, demonstrating the significance of accurate navigation and communication in airport operations.

A more recent incident occurred on 13 January 1989, when an Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-154S overran the runway at Monrovia - Roberts International Airport after a rejected takeoff, resulting in no fatalities among the crew but significant damage to the aircraft.

The incident was attributed to the aircraft being overloaded and the cargo having shifted, causing the center of gravity to move forward.

Here are some key statistics from notable incidents at airports:

These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and procedures in airport operations.

Port Statistics play a crucial role in airport operations, and here are some key facts to consider.

The average annual cargo volume at a major port is around 2.5 million tons.

Port efficiency is measured by the time it takes for a container to be processed, with an average of 2-3 days in a well-run port.

The busiest ports in the world handle over 10 million containers per year, with the Port of Shanghai leading the way.

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If you're planning a trip to Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, Liberia, you'll want to know the basics. The IATA code for Roberts International Airport is ROB, and the ICAO code is GLRB.

You might be wondering which airlines fly into ROB. The answer is that several carriers offer regular scheduled services, including ASKY, Air Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya Airways, Air Peace, and Royal Air Maroc.

If you're looking for alternative airports to ROB, there are a few options to consider. The closest alternative airport is Lungi International Airport, which is 410km away by road.

Here are the closest alternative airports to ROB:

The closest seaport to ROB is Monrovia, which is just 49km away.