Air Uganda
Encyclopedia
Air Uganda is the designated national airline for Uganda
. The company
was formed in 2007 and began commercial flight operations on November 15, 2007. Headquartered in Kampala
, with the operations base at Entebbe International Airport
, Air Uganda operates scheduled flights from Entebbe
to various countries in Eastern Africa and Central Africa
.
(AKFED), which also has interests in the national airlines of Mali
and Burkina Faso
through its company Celestair
.
and Juba. The load factor between Entebbe
and Nairobi
averaged 60% during the first year of operation.
on the Entebbe
/Kilimanjaro, Entebbe
/Dar-es-Salaam and Entebbe
/Zanzibar
routes which both airlines service. Code-share agreements were also signed by Air Uganda and Brussels Airlines
on the Entebbe
/Juba route serviced by Air Uganda and on the Entebbe
/Brussels
route serviced by Brussels Airlines
. These arrangements were soon followed by similar agreements between Air Uganda and Qatar Airways
In early 2009, Air Uganda made arrangements with Marsland Aviation
for the latter to transport Air Uganda ticketed passengers between Juba and Khartoum
and between Khartoum
and Juba. Air Uganda travels this route on two days a week. Marsland Aviation
carries Air Uganda passengers on the five days a week, when Air Uganda does not service the route.
In June 2010, Air Uganda signed a code share agreement with Rwandair
on the Entebbe
- Kigali
route. Air Uganda will service the route with a daily morning flight while Rwandair will provide a daily evening flight. Both airlines service the route with CRJ-200 aircraft.
Beginning January 2012, Air Uganda, in its fifth year of operations, will begin self-handling at its hub at Entebbe International Airport
, and will be authorised to handle any other airline that choses to use their handling service. The move will save the airline at least US$700,000 annually.
{| style="font-size:100%;"
|-
| width="100%" align="center" | Air Uganda Fleet
|- valign="top"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! style="width:2em;" |Regisstration Number !!Aircraft!!Seating!!Former Owner
|-
|5X-UGA||McDonnell Douglas MD-87|| 20/79 (99)||Iberia
|-
|5X-UGB||McDonnell Douglas MD-87|| 20/79 (99)||Iberia
|-
|5X-UGE||Bombardier CRJ200ER|| 0/50 (50)||Chautauqua Airlines
|-
|5X-UGG||Bombardier CRJ200ER|| 0/50 (50)||Alma de México
|-
|Total||4|| ||
|-
|}
, Sudan
warned of a possible terrorist threat on Air Uganda planes traveling between Juba, South Sudan
, and Entebbe
, Uganda
. According to the embassy, it had received information that indicated "a desire by regional extremists to conduct a deadly attack on board Air Uganda aircraft." According to the Sudanese foreign ministry, however, the threat was not considered serious. The Uganda People's Defence Force
said that they had been aware of this information since early December, 2009, although a Ugandan government spokesman said there was nothing to support such claims.
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. The company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
was formed in 2007 and began commercial flight operations on November 15, 2007. Headquartered in Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, with the operations base at Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport is the principal international airport of Uganda.-Location:It is located near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about from the capital, Kampala...
, Air Uganda operates scheduled flights from Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
to various countries in Eastern Africa and Central Africa
Central Africa
Central Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda....
.
Ownership
The company is 100% owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic DevelopmentAga Khan Fund for Economic Development
The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development ' is the sole for-profit agency of the Aga Khan Development Network and works in partnership with international organizations and governments to stimulate the private sectors of developing economies, with the aim of generating capital for investment...
(AKFED), which also has interests in the national airlines of Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
and Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.Its size is with an estimated...
through its company Celestair
Celestair
- Fleet :Celestair Group represents an alliance of three airlines under the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, AKFED, and benefits from technical and operative support from other airlines owned by the Aga Khan, such as Meridiana and Eurofly of Italy....
.
Load factors
Air Uganda is reported to have carried over 70,000 passengers within its first twelve months, with an average load factor of 70% between EntebbeEntebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
and Juba. The load factor between Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
and Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
averaged 60% during the first year of operation.
Partners
During the second half of 2008, Air Uganda signed code share agreements with Air TanzaniaAir Tanzania
Air Tanzania is the national airline of Tanzania. Its main base is Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam.-History:Air Tanzania Corporation was established on 10 March 1977 after the breakup of East African Airways, which had previously served the region. Flights were started from...
on the Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
/Kilimanjaro, Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
/Dar-es-Salaam and Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
/Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Zanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
routes which both airlines service. Code-share agreements were also signed by Air Uganda and Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
on the Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
/Juba route serviced by Air Uganda and on the Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
/Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
route serviced by Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
. These arrangements were soon followed by similar agreements between Air Uganda and Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C. , operating as Qatar Airways, is the flag carrier of Qatar. Headquartered in the Qatar Airways Tower in Doha, it operates a hub-and-spoke network, linking over 100 international destinations from its base in Doha, using a fleet of over 100 aircraft...
In early 2009, Air Uganda made arrangements with Marsland Aviation
Marsland Aviation
-Destinations:As of May 2007, Marsland Aviations operates scheduled passenger flights to the following destinations:*Egypt**Cairo *Kenya**Nairobi *South Sudan...
for the latter to transport Air Uganda ticketed passengers between Juba and Khartoum
Khartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
and between Khartoum
Khartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
and Juba. Air Uganda travels this route on two days a week. Marsland Aviation
Marsland Aviation
-Destinations:As of May 2007, Marsland Aviations operates scheduled passenger flights to the following destinations:*Egypt**Cairo *Kenya**Nairobi *South Sudan...
carries Air Uganda passengers on the five days a week, when Air Uganda does not service the route.
In June 2010, Air Uganda signed a code share agreement with Rwandair
RwandAir
RwandAir is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Kigali International Airport in Kigali, Rwanda. It is the national carrier operating services to East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa and the Middle East.-History:...
on the Entebbe
Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport is the principal international airport of Uganda.-Location:It is located near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about from the capital, Kampala...
- Kigali
Kigali International Airport
Kigali International Airport , formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda...
route. Air Uganda will service the route with a daily morning flight while Rwandair will provide a daily evening flight. Both airlines service the route with CRJ-200 aircraft.
Beginning January 2012, Air Uganda, in its fifth year of operations, will begin self-handling at its hub at Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport is the principal international airport of Uganda.-Location:It is located near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about from the capital, Kampala...
, and will be authorised to handle any other airline that choses to use their handling service. The move will save the airline at least US$700,000 annually.
Domestic service
In the fourth quarter of 2011, Air Uganda announceed plans to start domestic service during 2012. This will require the airline to acquire appropriate aircraft to serve the domestic market. The airline's current regional fleet is also under review.Destinations
, Air Uganda maintains regular services to the following destinations:- Burundi
- BujumburaBujumbura-Education:The University of Burundi is located in Bujumbura.Hope Africa University is located in BujumburaUniversité du Lac Tanganyika is located in Bujumbura-External links:**...
- Bujumbura International AirportBujumbura International AirportBujumbura International Airport is an airport in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.In 2008, the airport served 120,000 passengers.-Airlines and destinations:-Cargo airlines:...
- Bujumbura
- Kenya
- NairobiNairobiNairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
- Jomo Kenyatta International AirportJomo Kenyatta International Airport-Charter airlines:-Cargo airlines:-Other facilities:The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has its head office in the KAA Complex on the airport property. African Express Airways has its head office on the airport property... - MombasaMombasaMombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
- Moi International AirportMoi International AirportMoi International Airport , also Mombasa International Airport, or Mombasa Airport, is an airport in Kenya.-Location:Mombasa Airport, , is located in Mombasa District, Coast Province, in the city of Mombasa, in a township called Port Reitz, in southeastern Kenya, along the Indian Ocean coast.Its...
- Nairobi
- Rwanda
- KigaliKigaliKigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
- Kigali International AirportKigali International AirportKigali International Airport , formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda...
- Kigali
- South Sudan
- Juba - Juba AirportJuba AirportJuba Airport is the main airport in Juba, South Sudan.-Location:The airport is located in the capital city of Juba, South Sudan. The airport lies to the northeast of the Central business district of the city, on the western banks of the White Nile....
- Juba - Juba Airport
- Tanzania
- Dar es SalaamDar es SalaamDar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
- Julius Nyerere International Airport - ZanzibarZanzibarZanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
- Zanzibar International Airport
- Dar es Salaam
- Uganda
- EntebbeEntebbeEntebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
- Entebbe International AirportEntebbe International AirportEntebbe International Airport is the principal international airport of Uganda.-Location:It is located near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about from the capital, Kampala...
(Main Hub)
- Entebbe
Fleet
The Air Uganda fleet consists of the following aircraft, as of October 2011:{| style="font-size:100%;"
|-
| width="100%" align="center" | Air Uganda Fleet
|- valign="top"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! style="width:2em;" |Regisstration Number !!Aircraft!!Seating!!Former Owner
|-
|5X-UGA||McDonnell Douglas MD-87|| 20/79 (99)||Iberia
Iberia
The name Iberia refers to three historical regions of the old world:* Iberian Peninsula, in Southwest Europe, location of modern-day Portugal and Spain** Prehistoric Iberia...
|-
|5X-UGB||McDonnell Douglas MD-87|| 20/79 (99)||Iberia
Iberia
The name Iberia refers to three historical regions of the old world:* Iberian Peninsula, in Southwest Europe, location of modern-day Portugal and Spain** Prehistoric Iberia...
|-
|5X-UGE||Bombardier CRJ200ER|| 0/50 (50)||Chautauqua Airlines
Chautauqua Airlines
Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. is a regional airline and a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Based on 2009 published flight schedules, it operates scheduled passenger services on more than 700 flights daily to 98 airports in 31 states, Washington, D.C...
|-
|5X-UGG||Bombardier CRJ200ER|| 0/50 (50)||Alma de México
|-
|Total||
|-
|}
Possible Threat
On 9 January 2010, the US Embassy in KhartoumKhartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
, Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
warned of a possible terrorist threat on Air Uganda planes traveling between Juba, South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
, and Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. According to the embassy, it had received information that indicated "a desire by regional extremists to conduct a deadly attack on board Air Uganda aircraft." According to the Sudanese foreign ministry, however, the threat was not considered serious. The Uganda People's Defence Force
Uganda People's Defence Force
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
said that they had been aware of this information since early December, 2009, although a Ugandan government spokesman said there was nothing to support such claims.
Photos
- Photo of Air Uganda MD-87 Reg:5X-UGB
- Photo of Air Uganda Bombardier CRJ100ER Reg:5X-UGD
- Photo of Air Uganda CRJ-200, Registration:5X-UGE at Kigali International Airport on 22 February 2010
