On September 25, 2024, Uganda Airlines proudly launched its maiden flight UR 720, leaving Entebbe at 10 AM local time and heading to Lusaka, Zambia, and Harare, Zimbabwe. This new route marks the airline’s 15th and 16th destinations, following the recent addition of Abuja to its service from Lagos just two weeks prior.
The flights to Harare and Lusaka will occur four times a week, a significant milestone as it is the first time in 23 years that direct flights connect these two capitals to Uganda. This move is expected to shake up the market, especially for competitors like Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways, and RwandAir, which have traditionally managed connections from Entebbe to various points in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
RwandAir already flies to Harare and Lusaka, while Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airways operate multiple flights daily to Harare, Victoria Falls, and Lusaka. The new Uganda Airlines routes are anticipated to enhance business travel to Uganda, as well as visits from friends and family. Moreover, the airline is hoping these routes will help generate connecting traffic for flights to India, Dubai, and potentially London, which officials say will be launched by the end of the year.
Jenifer Bamuturaki, the CEO of Uganda Airlines, expressed excitement about the new destinations, stating, “We are happy to return to the capitals of Zambia and Zimbabwe, countries whose history and culture are closely linked to Uganda. These two destinations expand options for travel between East Africa and Southern Africa and demonstrate our commitment to increase travel options for Africans by providing safe, affordable, and reliable air transport services to connect the continent.”
Airline officials shared that the launch of flights to London is becoming more assured as the airline has obtained key certifications. They have already secured landing slots at London Gatwick for twice-weekly flights and have established offices and service contracts for various operations.
The London launch is expected in early December. However, as Uganda Airlines expands its network, it faces a challenge: the current fleet of six aircraft is nearing its capacity limits. The six CRJ-900s, which are already serving 13 routes, cannot support additional routes or increased flight frequencies without more aircraft. The two A330s, primarily used on routes to Dubai, Lagos, and Mumbai, can only accommodate the upcoming London flights.
Without acquiring more planes, either through purchase or lease, further growth could be hindered, putting plans for a route to Guangzhou, China, at risk. While shareholders have agreed to acquire two Airbus A320s as early as next year and two Boeing 787-800 Dreamliners by 2030, no formal commitments have been made regarding pre-delivery payments to the manufacturers.
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