By Our Reporter.
Uganda Airlines on October 4, 2021 made its maiden flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, marking the first intercontinental flight for the national carrier since it was revived two years ago.
Currently the revamped airline plies other regional routes to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Juba, Kilimanjaro, Mogadishu, Zanzibar and Mombasa. Uganda airlines also flies to Kinshasa, Harare and and Johannesburg.
Uganda Airlines officials are upbeat the new route is lucrative and would bring in more money since the passengers from Entebbe to Dubai keep increasing day by day.
Records at Entebbe international airport indicate that before Covid-19 pandemic came in most travelers from Uganda either flew to or transited through Dubai, a fast growing international business centre.
When Uganda liberalized Labour exports to the Middle East and the rest of the world, most workers seeking employment concentrate on opportunities in the United Arab Emirates. The demand for air travelers has more than tripled event after Covid-19 that is ravaging the world, struck in. There are at least 70 per cent employment seekers travelling to or through Dubai.
Uganda Airlines entered into Interline agreement with Emirates that has opened up further opportunities for travelers with a quest for business on the African continent.
Business prospects on the Entebbe – Dubai have been enhanced after UAE removed Uganda from the blacklist of the Covid -19 pandemic affected countries hence allowing the airline to operate on Duba route.
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Spokesperson Mr Vianney Lugya. said over 5,800 passengers have been flying from Entebbe to Dubai up to 2018. The main airlines that ply Entebbe – Dubai route are Emirates and FlyDubai with Ethiopian and Kenya Airways connecting through their homes in Addis Ababa and Nairobi respectively.
Uganda Airlines is currently flying regional routes using four bombardier CRJ900 crafts. But plans are underway to take on longer routes after acquiring two bigger Airbus A330neo aircrafts.
The airline had planned to fly London, Guangzhou, Mumbai and Dubai, by September this year but postponed the plans due to challenges emanating from Covid-19.
At least fast growing labour exports to the Middle East are expected to give .Uganda Airlines big business prospects since their fares are fairly priced and competitive. There are also big business prospects from importers and exporters plus tourists.
Uganda Airlines flew government officials, private sector individuals and the media to Dubai for the inaugural flight to Dubai.
Uganda frequent travelers said they could consider following the local slogan of “ Buy Uganda Build Uganda” if service delivery is good to competitive and dislodge other players in the market.
