Uganda Airlines Launches Flights to Abuja
Uganda Airlines has rolled out flights to Abuja, Nigeria.
The flights to Nigeria’s Administrative Capital come just one year after Uganda Airlines launched services to Logos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.
The inaugural UR 900 service to Abuja departed Entebbe at 16:00 hours on Thursday, September 12, 2024 with a same day arrival at Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 18:15.
The flights, which will be tagged to the existing service to Lagos, will be available on Thursday and Sunday and will be operated using the airline’s flagship Airbus A330-800neo aircraft.
“We are proud to be living up to our promise to take Nigeria to Uganda and bring Uganda to Nigeria, Abuja is now our 14th point as we embark on our expansion plan.” said Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Jenifer Bamuturaki.
“Abuja is our second destination in Nigeria and the fourteenth overall in our network. Its launch underscores our continuing commitment to ease travel across Africa by providing efficient and affordable air services to facilitate business, tourism, and leisure travel,” Bamuturaki added.
According to international studies, Abuja is one of the most underserved markets in Africa.
The Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byamukama said Abuja is a major economic and political centre in Nigeria that plays a crucial role in bilateral cooperation between Uganda and Nigeria.
By establishing a route there, Byamukama said Uganda Airlines is enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
“Increasing air connectivity within Africa will help reduce travel times, lower costs, and improve accessibility across the continent. This will facilitate trade, investment, and economic cooperation, benefiting businesses and the overall economy in both Uganda and Nigeria,” he said.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa.
The government believes that direct flights to Abuja will increase Uganda Airlines’ catchment area in the country and make it easier for tourists from Nigeria to visit Uganda and vice versa.
“This will boost Uganda’s tourism sector by increasing the flow of Nigerian visitors. Although Nigerian movies have already introduced Ugandans to Nigerian culture, the availability of flights will take cultural interaction between Ugandans and Nigerians to the next level,” Byamukama said.
London route
The flights to Abuja come just three months after Uganda’s national carrier secured a coveted route to London Gatwick, marking a significant milestone in its strategic expansion plans.
Uganda Airlines’ direct flights to the UK will make Uganda more accessible to European travelers, increasing tourist inflows. This influx is expected to stimulate local businesses, including hotels, tour operators, and cultural sites, generating revenue and creating jobs.
Additionally, improved air links will promote Uganda’s unique attractions, such as its national parks and wildlife, to a broader audience. This strategic move will not only diversify Uganda’s tourism market but also strengthen its global tourism profile.
On October 7, 2023, the airline launched its direct route to Mumbai, India’s financial hub which it serves three times a week.
The new service to Abuja marks Uganda Airlines’ 14th destination.
Currently, the airline operates a comprehensive network, offering flights to Dubai, Johannesburg, Bujumbura, Nairobi, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Kinshasa, Mogadishu, Mumbai, Lagos, and Abuja.
Uganda Airlines’ new service is important because it addresses the connectivity gap between the administrative capital of Africa’s most populous nation and East Africa.
“Through this service, travellers from Nigeria’s central, northern, and northeastern regions can seamlessly connect to our services to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Mogadishu, Mumbai, and Dubai, among others,” the airline said.
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