UGANDA Airlines will launch direct flights from Entebbe to London Gatwick on 18 May cutting travel time to nine hours and re-establishing a long-lost route.
This will be the airline’s first European route as it expands beyond Africa, marking a major milestone since British Airways abandoned the route in July 2015, claiming it was not “commercially viable”.
The Ugandan national carrier hopes the flights will boost trade, with faster access to the United Kingdom benefitting Ugandan exporters of coffee, tea and fresh produce, while attracting more tourists.
“This accessibility is expected to increase tourist arrivals, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to our gross domestic product,” Transport Minister Katumba Wamala said.
Mr Wamala added that they expect lower airfares on the route. “Where there’s no competition, prices soar. Uganda Airlines will moderate the market,” he said.
The airline, which was revived five years ago, has focused on African routes but is now expanding globally. London will be its third long-haul destination after Dubai and Mumbai, with plans to add Beijing soon.
Eighteen-Eleven Media