Uganda Airlines launches longest A330-800 flight to UK

The Airbus A330-800 is a rare airplane variant, operated by only three airlines: Kuwait Airways, Uganda Airlines, and Air Greenland. Despite its capability for long distances, it is not as popular as other models, with just seven aircraft in service. The A330-800 has a maximum range of about 8,150 nautical miles, but it is less economical than the larger A330-900, due to higher fuel consumption and lower passenger capacity. This summer, a new longer route for the A330-800 has been announced. Uganda Airlines will begin a flight from Entebbe to London Gatwick, which will take about 9 hours and 30 minutes. This will be the only A330-800 service from the UK, starting on May 18. This flight is especially significant as it marks the return of direct flights from Entebbe to the UK after a decade. Kuwait Airways also has several long routes planned this summer, including flights to Guangzhou and Kuala Lumpur. The A330-800's average flight distance during this period will be much shorter than its maximum range, averaging around 1,950 nautical miles. Currently, Uganda Airlines’ new London route is notable not only for its flight duration but also because it caters to a significant travel market. There is a large demand for direct flights, particularly for tourism and from the Ugandan diaspora. However, experts note that the route's financial viability may be a challenge, as the choice to acquire these aircraft was influenced more by political decisions than by market demand.