Roberts International Airport (RIA), Liberia’s primary gateway to the world, was thrown into complete darkness on Sunday, March 30, following a sudden power outage that disrupted airport operations and left passengers struggling to navigate the terminal using their phone lights. The incident has reignited concerns about Liberia’s failing infrastructure and the government’s misallocation of resources.
The power outage, which occurred at approximately 5:00 PM, came at a critical moment—just as an SN Brussels Airlines flight landed at RIA. With no backup electricity, passengers arriving from the flight were left in a state of confusion and frustration. Instead of being welcomed by a well-lit terminal, they were met with darkness, forcing them to use their mobile phone flashlights to collect their baggage.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of disorganization and distress as airport staff struggled to manage operations. “It was humiliating for a country’s main airport to be in complete darkness,” said one frustrated traveler. “We had to light our own way—it was shocking to experience this in 2025.”
Passengers weren’t the only ones affected. Airport workers, including customs officers and baggage handlers, were left unable to perform their duties efficiently, causing further delays and confusion.
The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), the body responsible for managing RIA, was quick to shift blame to the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), stating that the blackout resulted from an issue on the LEC power grid. In an official statement, the LAA apologized for the inconvenience and assured travelers that efforts were being made to resolve the problem.
“The Liberia Airport Authority deeply regrets any inconvenience caused by this disruption and is fully committed to resolving the situation as swiftly and safely as possible,” the LAA statement read.
However, the lack of a functional backup power system at RIA raises critical concerns about the airport’s preparedness for emergencies. Many are questioning why a facility of such importance does not have reliable alternative power sources, especially given its history of power-related failures.
The blackout at RIA has once again exposed Liberia’s ongoing infrastructure failures, particularly in budgetary allocations. In Fiscal Year 2024, the LAA was allocated US$2,662,443, and this year, its budget increased to US$3,344,798. Yet, despite these funds, basic airport services, such as stable electricity, remain unreliable.
Meanwhile, the Liberian government has spent over US$40 million on luxury vehicles, fuel, and maintenance for government officials. This disparity has fueled public outrage, with many questionings why essential services like airport electricity are neglected while resources are funneled into non-essential expenditures.
“This is a disgrace,” said an aviation industry analyst. “We are talking about an international airport that lacks power. How do we expect to attract investors or tourists when the first thing they experience in Liberia is an airport in darkness?”
Sunday’s blackout is just the latest in a series of infrastructure failures at RIA. On February 23, 2025, another major incident raised alarms when an Ethiopian Airlines flight was forced to abort its landing due to thick smoke from uncontrolled farm fires near the airport. The smoke, coming from farmland just outside RIA’s perimeter fence, reduced visibility so severely that the flight had to circle for 15 to 30 minutes before landing safely.
The recurrence of such incidents has heightened concerns about the airport’s ability to maintain international standards. Repeated failures—from power outages to environmental hazards—have cast doubt on the competence of RIA’s management and the government’s commitment to addressing these issues.
“This is beyond embarrassing; it is a national security issue,” a former airport executive stated. “If we cannot guarantee safe and reliable operations at our only international airport, what does that say about our country’s development?”
With growing frustration from both travelers and aviation experts, calls for urgent reforms at RIA are increasing. Many believe that the government must make airport infrastructure a priority if Liberia wants to be taken seriously in the global aviation industry.
“This situation is unacceptable,” said a former transport ministry official. “The government needs to ensure that RIA has a fully operational backup power system and that these failures do not keep happening. This is a national embarrassment, and enough is enough.”
At the same time, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) refutes the claim made by the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) that the recent power outage at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) was caused by an electrical issue stemming from the LEC power grid.
Contrary to the LAA’s statement, our technical team assessed the situation and discovered that the power outage at RIA was, in fact, caused by a fuel shortage from the three giant-sized Caterpillar generators, which were commissioned in June 2024 by H.E. Joseph Nyumah Boakai. The fuel shortage from these generators with the capacity of 1250 kV and 110 kV respectively also damaged the power grid.
The LEC technical team is working with the LAA Technicians tirelessly to restore power at the Airport, and we appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation during this time.
We would like to assure the public that the LEC is committed to providing reliable and efficient electricity services to all our customers, including the RIA. We will continue to work closely with the LAA to resolve this issue and prevent future occurrences.
Public outrage is mounting, with citizens and industry stakeholders demanding greater transparency in how airport funds are managed. Many believe that a thorough audit of LAA’s finances is necessary to determine why essential services remain inadequate despite increased budgetary support.
As public criticism intensifies, the LAA has assured passengers that it is working to restore full power and prevent future occurrences. However, skepticism remains high, with many questioning whether real action will be taken or if this will be another case of government negligence.
