Uganda’s national carrier, Uganda Airlines, on Tuesday received its second Airbus A330-800neo aircraft at the Entebbe International Airport as it continues preparation for building its international long-haul flight network.
The plane arrived at the airport carrying five tons of medical goods from UNICEF which will be used to support neonatal intensive care units in Uganda.
A statement from the airline said the addition of the plane will offer “a new world” of greater connectivity for travelers in addition to “superior comfort and the best passenger experience”.
“…this new wide-body pair will serve the carrier’s international network expansion with flights from its hub at Entebbe International Airport, to intercontinental destinations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.”
The first plane was received last month with the airline targeting commencement of its long haul operations this year.
“This is a boost to tourism, travel, business and investment in the country. Let us promote and patronise our airline and grow the economy,” Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said.
Uganda Airlines was established in May 1976 as the national carrier of Uganda. The airline collapsed in May 2001 after years of losses and mismanagement. Efforts to privatise it failed.
In 2018, President Museveni told Parliament that the government would revive the defunct national carrier. The airline, which is wholly owned by the Ugandan government, re-launched its operations in August last year and flies to a number of destinations including Nairobi, Juba and Dar es Salaam.
It is one of the flagship projects of the administration of President Yoweri Museveni.
