The first direct flights to resume from the UK to Sierra Leone have been cancelled after the British government revoked Gambia Bird’s recently granted permit because of fears over Ebola. The Department of Transport cited the deteriorating public health situation for the revocation when it notified the German-owned airline on Friday evening. The airline said it would appeal against the decision, especially as its licence was only granted on 26 September. The decision closed what charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) said was a vital humanitarian corridor to Sierra Leone, which is struggling to cope with the Ebola outbreak.