By Spy Uganda
Entebbe International Airport has recorded significant growth in passenger traffic and cargo during January 2025, marking a strong start to the year. A total of 216,740 international passengers passed through the airport, with 105,320 arriving and 111,420 departing. This translates to an average of 6,991 passengers per day, an increase from the 194,563 international passengers recorded during the same period in 2024.
The growth in traffic for January 2025 can be attributed to a variety of factors. Tourism has seen a notable uptick, bolstered by Uganda’s role as the host of several important international conferences, such as the African Union Extraordinary Summit, which attracted 977 delegates. Additionally, Uganda Airlines’ sustained operations on new routes and the introduction of new air operators like Kush Air and Premier Airlines—both of which began flights to Juba in December 2024—have contributed to the rise in passenger numbers.
January 2025’s traffic was the second-highest recorded at Entebbe International Airport in a single month, coming in just behind December 2024, which saw a total of 222,317 international passengers. Other high-traffic months include August 2024, with 204,575 passengers, and December 2023, which recorded 198,961 international passengers.
Looking at the broader picture, Entebbe International Airport saw impressive growth in passenger numbers in 2024. The airport handled 2,243,104 international passengers, up from 1,932,094 in 2023, reflecting an overall upward trend in both tourism and air travel demand.
In addition to passenger growth, the airport also experienced a solid performance in cargo handling. In January 2025, Entebbe recorded a total of 5,069 metric tonnes of cargo, with 3,491 metric tonnes in exports and 1,578 metric tonnes in imports. This marks a notable increase compared to the previous year. In 2024, the airport handled 67,731 metric tonnes of cargo, up from 59,073 metric tonnes in 2023, demonstrating a healthy rise in both export and import activity.
These impressive figures suggest a strong outlook for Entebbe International Airport as it continues to play a vital role in Uganda’s economy, facilitating both tourism and trade. The increase in air traffic, coupled with the growth in cargo handling, highlights the airport’s strategic importance as a hub for international connectivity in the region.
