KAMPALA- Uganda Airlines has launched direct flights between Entebbe and London, set to begin on May 18, 2025.
The new route aims to strengthen trade, investment, and tourism ties between Uganda and the United Kingdom.
Jennifer Bamuturaki, CEO of Uganda Airlines, highlighted that the direct flight will help connect Uganda to the UK’s vast tourism market, leveraging its $3.3 trillion GDP to foster economic growth.
The airline, which began operations in 2019, currently operates 16 aircraft across 16 destinations and facilitates 81 departures from Entebbe International Airport.
At the official launch event at Sheraton Hotel Kampala, Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala expressed optimism that Uganda’s exports to the UK will rise, urging business operators, particularly in perishable goods, to add value to their products to maximize the new opportunity.
The tiny country’s flag carrier’s first UK service is now available to book. Starting on May 18, in time for the peak dry season, it will operate four times weekly on its sole widebody type: the rare Airbus A330-800. It has two examples, each with 258 seats in a three-class layout. Some 8% of capacity is business.
Aside from a handful of Kuwait Airways flights, it will become the A330-800’s primary UK service and the equipment’s new second-longest route. The launch of Gatwick flights will undoubtedly make my Weekly Routes article, which showcases a selection of intriguing services.
The route, which will cover 3,479 nautical miles (6,443 km) each way, is scheduled as follows, with all times local. The highly inconsistent schedule is primarily because of Gatwick’s slot shortage. Yes, it has more availability than Heathrow, but it is still limited.
Booking data shows that 78,000 roundtrip passengers flew between London and Entebbe in the 12 months to July 2024 (214 daily). RwandAir carried the most passengers via Kigali, followed by Qatar Airways via Doha and Kenya Airways via Nairobi.
Passengers were mainly diaspora (Uganda was a British colony until 1962) and a growing number of tourists. They tend to be lower-yielding from traveling in economy class.
