Uganda Airlines’ Shorter Travel Time, Competitive Perks Propel London Route to Full Capacity

Uganda Airlines’ direct flights between Entebbe and London Gatwick, launched on May 18, 2025, are proving to be an early success story. Barely three months into the route, the national carrier is already flying at full capacity, with both passenger and cargo demand exceeding expectations.

Speaking on August 22, CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki said the route is not only popular with travelers but is also strengthening the airline’s financial position.

“We’ve seen London grow our cashflow. Passengers are booking weeks in advance, which improves our liquidity picture compared to other routes where some book on the same day,” she explained.

Cargo operations kicked off with the inaugural flight, and volumes have grown steadily since.

“From the first day, we carried a full load of cargo out of Entebbe. Out of London, it started small but has quickly grown. Last week, we moved full cargo loads out of London,” Bamuturaki revealed.

Passenger demand has been so strong that even airport officials at Gatwick have taken note.

“They asked us why this was happening so fast, because it’s unusual for a new airline to immediately achieve full flights, not just once or twice, but consistently,” Bamuturaki said, attributing the success to shorter travel times, competitive perks like a three-bag allowance, and social media buzz from returning Ugandans.

The route has also boosted Uganda’s tourism visibility. “Many travelers didn’t know Uganda Airlines had reached this far. Now, more tourists are discovering the direct link to our country,” she noted.

Since its relaunch in 2019, Uganda Airlines has grown remarkably, expanding from 4 to 17 destinations including Abuja, Dubai, Johannesburg, London, and Mumbai, and increasing daily flights from 5 to 26, totaling about 580 flights weekly. This makes it the largest carrier at Entebbe International Airport. Bamuturaki also underscored the airline’s impact on the economy.

“We repatriate our earnings back home, directly boosting GDP. 90% of our supplies are sourced locally under the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda policy, so we’re supporting Ugandan businesses,” she emphasized.

Looking to the future, she urged stakeholders to prepare for the ripple effects of the airline’s rapid growth. “Are we ready for Uganda Airlines’ growth? More aircraft mean more jobs, greater demand for housing, hotels, and services in Entebbe. We’ll employ both Ugandan and international pilots, so the ecosystem around the airline must evolve too,” she said.

Uganda Airlines operates modern Airbus A330-800 fleet on the London service, a milestone marking its first European destination and a strong signal of its ambition on the global aviation stage.