Section 96, Civil Aviation Act, 2017 for an effective aviation safety and security

(1) The Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air signed at Montreal on 28th May, 1999 as amended from time to time, shall from the commencement of this Act have the force of law and apply to– (a) international carriage by air to and from Sierra Leone in relation to a carriage by air to which those rules apply; and (b) non-international carriage by air within Sierra Leone, irrespective of the nationality of the 84 85 Application of Montreal Convention on Unification of Rules. aircraft performing the carriage, and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, govern the rights and liabilities of carriers, passenger, consignors, consignees and other persons. (2) In the case of an aircraft accident resulting in the death or injury of passengers, the carrier shall in accordance with the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air signed at Montreal on 28th May, 1999 – (a) make advance payments of at least 30,000 United State Dollars within 30 days from the date of the accident, to the natural person or any natural persons who are entitled to claim compensation in order to meet the immediate economic needs of the persons; and (b) the advance payments shall not constitute recognition of liability and may be off set against any amounts subsequently paid as damages by the carrier.