As reported by the East African, the Abuja service would be launched on September 12, 2024, before the Lusaka and Harare services.
The route to the capital city of Nigeria is intended to operate two times each week. The services for Lusaka and Harare will be a triangular operation alternating between Entebbe-Lusaka-Harare back to Entebbe, and Entebbe-Harare-Lusaka-Entebbe, and would operate four times every week.
With the addition of Abuja, Lusaka, and Harare services, the airline’s destinations jump to 16. “Launching these routes marks the conclusion of our three-year strategic plan, paving the way for the next phase of our 10-year rolling plan,” CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki said.
Speaking in defense of the decision to enter what some see as risky gray markets; Ms Bamuturaki stated; “We aspire to bridge the geographical gaps and connect East to West, North and South of Africa. This vision guides our route expansion, which is informed by feasibility studies pointing us to underserved routes.”
The airline plans to expand its flights to West Africa, the Middle East, India, and eventually China and the United Kingdom by utilizing Lusaka and Harare as feeder cities, the report by the East African highlights.
“The entry into these markets is meant to build an efficient and optimized regional market, which will feed and finance a more profitable long-haul market; grow the aircraft fleet utilization, and create a robust regional network that will serve as a feeder for Uganda Airlines’ long-haul market, especially London, Mumbai, Guangzhou and Dubai and, most importantly, support Uganda Airline’s Africa network connectivity,” Ms Bamuturaki relayed.
