Uganda Airline to Start Direct flights to UK
Uganda Airlines, the national carrier is set to launch another international flight in the European region, into the Getwick Airport, London. Currently Uganda Airlines is already seeking to recruit a station and country manager in London, final steps to actualizing slots at London Gatwick Airport that they secured earlier this year.
Uganda Airlines have secured four weekly slots to operate between Entebbe and London Gatwick.
Uganda Airlines will use their A330-800 and operate from Gatwick’s South Terminal. Gatwick became a priority for the airline after failing to secure Heathrow slots. Gatwick was confirmed after they completed ICAO safety audits.
Uganda Airlines fleet currently comprises four CRJ900LRs and two Airbus A330-800neos; they have now also wet-leased an Airbus A320-200 from South Africa’s Global Airways to boost long distance routes.
Reports indicate that the airline is already in discussions with Boeing for the acquisition of two 787-800 Dreamliners to augment long haul capacity as well as a 737-800 freighter to boost cargo capacity in the short term.
Shareholders have also approved the leasing of two Airbus A320s, to replace the A330s on medium range routes such as Dubai. In the interim, this would free capacity, allowing the launch of London and Guangzhou, which cannot be served within the current fleet limitations.
Whilst the inaugural flight date is pending final certifications from UK and European aviation authorities, anticipation is high for this step in Ugandan aviation.
Currently, the national carrier has direct routes covering bigger cities of Africa among which include; Abuja, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Johannesburg, Juba, Kilimanjaro, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lusaka, Mogadishu, Mombasa, Nairobi, Zanzibar, beyond Africa is Mumbai, and Dubai.
