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- Uganda Airlines plans to double its fleet and expand its destination network over the next five years
- The airline is set to launch new international flights to London Gatwick by the end of 2024
- Despite failing to secure Heathrow slots, Uganda Airlines has acquired slots at London Gatwick Airport
Historically, securing slots at London's major airports has been a challenging endeavour for many airlines due to high demand and limited availability.
It is reported that after failing to get the Heathrow slots, the airline has successfully acquired slots at London Gatwick Airport, a major hub located in South London.
This was after the airline successfully completed ICAO safety audits.
Earlier last month, the Uganda High Commission in London confirmed that Uganda Airlines was set to launch direct flights to London this year.
A team from Uganda Airlines led by the CEO Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki, had at the time travelled to the for meetings with UK aviation authorities, the business community and the Uganda Diaspora.
Uganda Airlines has initially secured slots for London Heathrow Airport after receiving its two Airbus A330-800 Neo aircraft in December 2020 and February 2021.
However, the airline has since not been cleared by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority and European Aviation Safety Agency respectively due to lack of an updated certification status.
Fleet expansion
In addition to expanding its route network, Uganda Airlines is undergoing a significant modernization of its fleet.
The airline currently operates a fleet that includes four CRJ900LRs and two Airbus A330-800neos. To support its regional operations more effectively, it has wet-leased an Airbus A320-200 from South Africa’s Global Airways, which addresses payload limitations on some of its existing aircraft.
Looking forward, Uganda Airlines has ambitious plans to incorporate single-aisle aircraft into its fleet, highlighted by a Request for Proposal (RFP) for up to four Airbus A320neos. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience. Although the new A320neos are expected as early as 2031, the airline is actively negotiating with lessors to secure these aircraft sooner, ensuring they align with the airline’s cabin configuration and design standards.
Moreover, Uganda Airlines is enhancing its long-haul capabilities. Recent discussions with Boeing have led to preliminary agreements for the acquisition of two Boeing 777 Freighters and 787 Dreamliners, which would significantly bolster its cargo and passenger transport capacity.
Regionally, the wet-leased A320 is set to extend services to Johannesburg once approvals are secured, adding to the current routes to Lagos, Nairobi, and Kinshasa. This expansion is indicative of Uganda Airlines’ strategic intent to increase its market share and operational footprint across Africa and beyond.