Uganda Airlines launches UK flights from Entebbe

Uganda Airlines is set to start direct flights from Entebbe, Uganda, to London Gatwick in less than two months. This marks the return of passenger flights from Uganda to the UK for the first time since 2015, when British Airways ended its service. The inaugural flight will take off on May 18, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Uganda Airlines. The airline will operate four flights a week using its Airbus A330-800, which has a capacity of 258 seats. This aircraft type is quite rare, making this route significant. The flights are scheduled to run at various times on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with travel times covering over 3,400 nautical miles each way. Although Gatwick has more flight slots available than Heathrow, there are still limitations due to high demand. Travel data indicates a demand for this route, with approximately 78,000 people flying roundtrip between London and Entebbe in the past year. Most of these passengers were Ugandan expatriates and tourists. However, since many are economy travelers, past nonstop flights had not been viable due to lower yields. Uganda Airlines plans to expand its network, connecting Gatwick to other cities in Africa such as Harare, Dar es Salaam, and Nairobi. This move aligns with other airlines also increasing their services to Gatwick, promoting a more diverse travel market at the airport.