Uganda Airlines delays UK launch to late 2Q22

 Uganda Airlines (UR, Entebbe/Kampala) has postponed the launch of its London Heathrow route until June 2022 following regulatory delays caused by new Brexit regulations, says acting Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki.

In an interview with Uganda’s Business Focus magazine, she said the UK Civil Aviation Authority had notified Uganda in October 2021 that the airline would have to apply for a Foreign Carrier Permit, a process that would take six months. However, she was optimistic that flights to London would commence by June 2022.

Under the terms of the UK government’s Brexit trade agreement that came into effect on December 31, 2020, all non-UK carriers require a Foreign Carrier Permit before operating any commercial flight to, from, or within UK territory. Before Brexit, non-European Union carriers had applied for Third Country Operator (TCO) approval from the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Bamuturaki said Uganda Airlines has secured slots at Heathrow after receiving its two A330-800Ns in December 2020 and February 2021, respectively. The airline had sought permission for a TCO and had expected to commence UK flights in January 2021, but its application had not been processed by the end of December 2020, when Brexit took effect.

Meanwhile, route expansion plans in Africa and intercontinentally; commercial alliances and partnerships with global airlines; and cargo growth are amongst the airline’s top priorities for 2022, Bamuturaki disclosed.

The national carrier is looking to introduce direct flights to Europe, India, and the Far East. “We are also looking at points in the DRC (Goma and Kisangani), West Africa (Lagos, Nigeria), and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia),” she added. She said the airline was currently in the process of securing a TCO for flights to Europe.

Bamuturaki also revealed that Uganda Airlines has commenced its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification process with an anticipated completion date of October 2022.

The carrier also intends to establish its own maintenance facilities pending approval from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, added engineering and maintenance director Ephraim Bagenda. He said the airline was spending USD250,000 per month on outsourced maintenance, whereas setting up its own facilities would cost USD2.5 million.

Other plans include:
Self-service projects covering passenger, baggage, and cargo operations will be rolled out in the first quarter of 2022;
A loyalty programme will be launched in the third quarter of 2022;
Cargo operations will be boosted with the acquisition of various warehouses and cold rooms.

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