Uganda Airlines on October 19, 2023, launched its inaugural direct flight from Entebbe to Lagos, Nigeria.
The launch followed initial concerted efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of both Uganda and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well the respective Ministries of Works and Aviation.
These initiated and coordinated efforts that reviewed and guided the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two countries.
The Bilateral Air Service Agreement provides for reciprocal international commercial air transport services between the two countries.
In his remarks, Hon. Bagiire Vincent WAISWA, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the ongoing interventions to operationalise the respective Bilateral Air Service Agreements between Uganda and other countries for Uganda Airlines to fly to various destinations worldwide continue to be undertaken by the Political & Technical strategic leadership of the Ministry.
These efforts are in line with the Ministry’s policy of pursuing Commercial and Economic Diplomacy with the primary objective of further strengthening Bilateral Trade and investment to accelerate economic growth and development through direct air connectivity between the two countries.
The Ambassador of Uganda to Nigeria, H.E Nelson Ocheger, underscored the importance of Air transportation which remains the major veritable means of connecting the people of Africa and enhancing trade.
He stated that Air transportation will do well in Africa with its population of over 1.37 Billion. Uganda has joined other African Nations to leverage the opportunity of the Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) to attain the 2065 Africa Agenda.
According to available statistics, trade between Uganda and Nigeria stood at US$ 4.8 million, (mainly export of agricultural products, machinery and chemical products).
Ongoing efforts to promote technical cooperation and collaboration between the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and the East African Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA), located in Soroti, Uganda as well as Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The direct flight to Nigeria means that the 10-hour flight has been reduced to three and a half hours as a result of the new direct flight.
