By Spy Uganda
Beginning November this year, Uganda Airlines will launch its long-awaited direct flights between Entebbe International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport, using its Airbus A330-800neo for the route, TheSpy Uganda has learnt.
According to sources, Uganda Airlines was granted rights and slots to commence flights to London last year, with a then-planned arrival to Heathrow at 06:45 am and departure at 09:00 am.
The granting of slots came after an analysis revealed that over 84,000 passengers flew on the Entebbe to London flight on a two-way point-to-point basis in 2019, making Entebbe the second-largest unserved market from Africa to London.
However, the flights to London never began due to some requirement issues. According to the airline’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Jenifer Bamuturaki, the UK aviation body required Uganda Airlines to apply for a foreign carrier permit.
The requirement is one of the changes caused by Brexit regulation. All non-UK air carriers wishing to undertake commercial services to, from, or within the UK must hold a Foreign Carrier Permit before that flight is launched and as we report this, foreign carrier permit is in hands of Uganda Airlines thus the announcement to launch the flights.
According to sources, the Uganda-London way will operate thrice weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
With the establishment of London flights settled, Uganda Airlines is looking to expand its regional network, with plans for flight services to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the making.
And in terms of going much farther, the airline is also looking to further dominate the international market with many more long-haul routes, including the resumption of flights to Dubai back in October last year. By the end of 2023, the Ugandan national carrier is eyeing Guangzhou using the Airbus A330-800neo aircraft.
