Uganda Airlines launched its first international flight beyond Africa to Dubai on October 9. The new 258-seat Airbus A330neo will fly three times a week to Dubai with a fourth flight to be added in the near future.
Speaking at the inaugural press conference, Acting CEO of Uganda Airlines Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki said: “We are extremely delighted to be here. This is our first international route. We have been flying regionally in Africa to Kenya (Nairobi and Mombasa), Kinshasa (Republic of Congo) , Tanzania (Dar Salam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro) and South Africa (Johannesburg).”
Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE Zaake Wanume Kibedi said: “Having a national carrier fly to Dubai, it creates a national identity and will enhance the export and tourism sectors between the two nations. National airlines are regarded as important national symbols and an instrument for projecting a country internationally. There are approximately 60,000 Ugandans living and working in the UAE and they are always having family visiting them and they going home, so having Uganda Airlines fly direct has come at an ideal time.”
Meanwhile, another inaugural flight between Entebbe and Sharjah landed at the Entebbe International Airport on October 10. Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) operator, too inaugurated their direct flight service between Entebbe and Sharjah.
