FLEET - Uganda Airlines expects its A330-800 to be back in service in January 2027, while a grounded CRJ900 is due to return by September 2026.

Three additional engines will also return soon, allowing the carrier to reduce its alliance on wet leasing. The first B737-8 will enter service in 2032, and the first B787-9 in 2033.Aviator

FLEET - Uganda Airlines resumes in-house widebody operations

Uganda Airlines (UR, Entebbe) has confirmed to ch-aviation that it has returned one of its two A330-800N widebodies to service after it had been in maintenance for the past two months.

ADS-B data shows that 5X-NIL (msn 1977) landed at Dubai International from Entebbe on April 17. Its sistership, 5X-CRN (1979), remains grounded in the Ugandan capital.

On February 20, Uganda Airlines announced that both A330s were temporarily out of service due to unscheduled maintenance. This led to the suspension of its long-haul routes to London Gatwick and Mumbai International. The halting of its Dubai service followed on February 28, after the outbreak of the US/Israeli war on Iran.

On March 7, the airline announced it had made a wet-lease arrangement with Ethiopian Airlines that enabled it to resume its long-haul services. Ethiopian's B787-8, ET-ASI (msn 38758), took over the Gatwick and Mumbai routes, and continued to operate them up to at least April 19, according to ADS-B data.

Uganda Airlines also continues to wet lease an A320-200, OY-RUY (msn 6733), from DAT - Danish Air Transport, which operates regional routes from Entebbe, including to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Lagos, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, Harare International, Kinshasa N'Djili, and Bujumbura

CH Aviation

ROUTES - Air Greenland will launch a new service between Ilulissat and Copenhagen on October 29

Air Greenland will launch a new service between Ilulissat and Copenhagen on October 29, coinciding with the inauguration of Greenland Airports' new airport in Ilulissat. The inaugural flight will be operated by the company's Airbus A330-800 aircraft. The route will then be operated by Jettime with a Boeing 737-800NG until Air Greenland receives an A320neo in the spring of 2027.

Photo: Air Greenland

SPECIAL SCHEME - Kuwait Airways / A330-800 / 9K-API

Ton Jochems
 

ROUTES - Uganda Airlines to launch new international flights from Entebbe to London Gatwick by the end of 2024, with A330-800.

Photo: Uganda Airlines

 

ROUTES - Kuwait Airlines launches its first inaugural flight to New York John F Kennedy Airport

Kuwait Airways has launched its first inaugural flight to New York John F Kennedy Airport utilizing the Airbus A330neo and in setting the record for the longest flight flown by the A330-800neo in 13 hours.

 

Air Greenland becomes latest A330neo operator and Flight Hour Services customer

 Toulouse, 07 December 2022 – Air Greenland has taken delivery of an A330-800 widebody aircraft, becoming the latest operator of the type.

The A330neo will replace previous generation aircraft in the company's fleet, reducing operating cost, improving environmental efficiency while offering an unrivalled passenger experience. Air Greenland’s A330neo will comfortably accommodate 305 passengers, featuring 42 Premium class seats and 263 Economy class seats.

Air Greenland has also firmed up an agreement with Airbus on Flight Hour Services (FHS) covering component supply and maintenance services. Based on a circular economy model and carbon footprint reduction the Airbus FHS offers more sustainability throughout the aircraft's life cycle. More than 1,200 aircraft worldwide are currently being contracted under Airbus FHS.

To underline Air Greenland’s sustainability strategy the delivery flight will be powered by a 30 percent blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Air Greenland will first deploy the A330neo between the arctic island and Denmark, adding North American and European routes at a later date.

The A330neo features the award-winning Airspace cabin, providing passengers with a high level of comfort, ambience and design. This includes offering more personal space, larger overhead bins, a new lighting system, and the ability to offer the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330neo also features a state-of-the-art cabin air system ensuring a clean and safe environment during the flight.

The A330neo is the new generation version of the popular A330 widebody. Incorporating the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and a range of aerodynamic innovations, the aircraft offers a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The A330-800 is capable of flying 8 150 nm / 15 094 km non-stop.

At the end of October, the A330 Family had registered a total of over 1,700 firm orders of which 275 are A330neos from 24 customers.

Air Greenland moved forward A330-800 scheduled service to 19 December 2022, initially along with the A330-200 on the Kangerlussuaq – Copenhagen route.

Photo: Airbus
 

Air Greenland’s sole Airbus A330-800neo is nearing completion (A330-841-F-WWCR)

Air Greenland ordered the A330neo to replace its single A330-200 aircraft registered as OY-GRN. The latter is nearly 24 years old now and still serving the Greenlandic people with regular flights to Copenhagen in Denmark from the airline's base at Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ) in central-western Greenland.

Toulouse Blagnac - LFBO, France

By: Fabrizio Spicuglia

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.

ch aviation

Uganda Airlines readies for A330neo operations

Uganda Airlines (UR, Entebbe/Kampala) is set to begin widebody operations after it managed to add its pair of A330-800s to its AOC's operations specifications last week. In a press release, the state-owned airline said the move would allow it to open up flights to Dubai Int'l first followed by London, Mumbai Int'l, and Guangzhou. No official dates or timelines have yet been revealed.

5X-NIL (msn 1977) and 5X-CRN (msn 1979) arrived in central Africa in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively. However, due to delays in their type certification by the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), both were grounded until August 12. Just before being certified, 5X-NIL carried out a demonstration flight to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo in South Africa.

The bungling of the A330neo's induction into service is one of the key events Uganda Airlines' upper management is being held accountable for by the government given the losses the airline has incurred since its launch.

Since its inception in August 2019, Uganda Airlines has been plying a fleet of four CRJ900s on flights to Burundi, Tanzania, South Africa, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, and Somalia. According to the Ministry of Transport update, an application to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a TCO certificate has been submitted to enable the airline to fly to London. In addition, the airline has also been designated as the Ugandan carrier for flights to the UK capital and Dubai. An application for China (Guangzhou) is being worked on.

CH AVIATION

Uganda Airlines flies further with its brand-new A330neo

Toulouse – 21 December, 2020 – Uganda Airlines, the country’s flag-carrier, has taken delivery of its first A330neo, the latest version of the most popular widebody airliner. It is the first Airbus aircraft delivered to Uganda Airlines, which was established in 2019.


In line with the Company's strategy to keep offering its customers unbeatable economics, increased operational efficiency and superior passenger comfort, the A330-800 is the latest addition to Airbus’ commercial aircraft product line. Thanks to its tailored, mid-sized capacity and its excellent range versatility, the A330neo is considered the ideal aircraft to operate as part of the post-COVID-19 recovery.

The A330neo will enable the new airline to launch its long-range operations with non-stop intercontinental flights to the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

 Featuring Airbus’ Airspace cabin, passengers can enjoy a unique experience and explore its full comfort with 20 full-flat, business-class beds, 28 premium-economy seats and 210 economy-class seats, totalling 258 seats.



The A330neo is a true new-generation aircraft, building on the features of the popular A330 and using technology developed for the A350. Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and featuring a new wing with increased span and A350-inspired Sharklets, the A330neo provides an unprecedented level of efficiency. The aircraft burns 25% less fuel per seat than previous generation competitors. The A330neo cabin offers a unique passenger experience with more personal space and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and connectivity.

Air Greenland places Christmas order for an A330neo

 Toulouse, 18 December 2020 – Air Greenland, the flag-carrier for Greenland, is the latest airline to order Airbus’ next generation A330neo widebody aircraft.

The new A330-800 will replace the airline’s ageing Airbus A330-200ceo to secure operations linking the Arctic island with Denmark from end of 2022 onwards and beyond.

Air Greenland’s CEO’s Jacob Nitter Sørensen said: “The A330neo is a fundamental part of Air Greenland’s fleet strategy. The new aircraft will, for years to come, offer travellers to and from Greenland a unique inflight experience while leaving the lowest carbon footprint possible. The A330neo is a perfect fit for the very challenging task of providing safe and efficient all year passenger, cargo and freight services to and from Greenland.”

“We’re pleased to see Air Greenland renew its confidence in the A330 Family and join the growing number of operators who are selecting the A330neo as a logical replacement for their ageing fleets,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “To imagine the airline’s distinctive red livery set against the Arctic’s environment provides some Christmas cheer at the end of a year that has been harsh for our entire industry.”

The Airbus A330neo is a true new-generation aircraft, building on features popular for the A330ceo and developed for the latest technology A350. Equipped with a compelling Airspace cabin, the A330neo offers a unique passenger experience with the latest-generation, in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity. Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, and featuring a new wing with increased span and A350-inspired ‘Sharklets’, the A330neo also provides an unprecedented level of efficiency – with 25% lower fuel-burn per seat than previous-generation competitors. Thanks to its tailored mid-sized capacity and its excellent range versatility, the A330neo is considered the ideal aircraft to support operators in their post-COVID-19 recovery.

UGANDA AIRLINES - A330-800 - F-WWYS - msn 1977

Alain Charpentier - TLS

Kuwait Airways takes delivery of its first two A330neos

Toulouse, 29 October 2020 – Kuwait Airways, the national airline of Kuwait, has received its first two A330neos. These aircraft are the first of eight A330neos ordered by the airline. The carrier currently operates a fleet of 15 Airbus aircraft comprising seven A320ceos, three A320neos and five A330ceos.

This event also marks Airbus’ first A330-800 delivery. The new generation widebody aircraft is the latest addition to Airbus’ product line, highlighting the company's strategy to keep offering its airline customers unbeatable economics, increased operational efficiency and superior passenger comfort with proven latest technology platforms. Thanks to its tailored mid-sized capacity and its excellent range versatility, the A330neo is considered the ideal aircraft to operate as part of the post-COVID-19 recovery.

Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Ali Mohammad Al-Dukhan stated: “Kuwait Airways takes pride in its continued relationship and cooperation with Airbus for the past four decades.

"The delivery of the first two A330neos is yet another significant milestone for Kuwait Airways as we progress towards our goals and implementation of our fleet development strategy,” said Al-Dukhan. “The introduction of the A330neos to our expanding fleet strengthens Kuwait Airways’ position as a prominent airline in both the regional and global aviation sector. As we are continuously reviewing our passenger requirements to provide excellent services, combined with comfort and safety during each flight, the arrival of the A330neos commences a new phase in the services we provide to our passengers on board, in addition to efficient and comfortable air transport services with Kuwait Airways,” added Al-Dukhan.

Kuwait Airways’ A330neo will comfortably accommodate 235 passengers, featuring 32 fully-flat beds in Business Class and 203 spacious seats in Economy Class while offering a large cargo hold capable of accommodating generous passenger baggage allowances.

“The A330neo is the right aircraft for Kuwait Airways in these challenging times. This unique product is spot-on with Kuwait Airways’ ambition to expand its network in the most efficient and versatile way,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “With its Airspace best-in-class cabin comfort the aircraft will quickly become a passengers’ favourite. Thanks to its high level of commonality and cost advantages, the A330neo will easily and efficiently integrate into Kuwait Airways’ current fleet of A320s, A330s and its future fleet of A350 XWBs” he added.

The A330neo is a true new-generation aircraft, building on the features of the popular A330 and leveraging technology developed for the A350 XWB. Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, and featuring a new wing with increased span and A350 XWB-inspired Sharklets, the A330neo provides an unprecedented level of efficiency – with 25% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation competitors. Equipped with the Airspace cabin, the A330neo offers a unique passenger experience with more personal space and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and connectivity.

KUWAIT AIRWAYS - A330-800 - F-WWYU msn 1964

Alain Charpentier - TLS

AIRBUS - A330-800NEO - F-WWTO

Paul Bannwarth - TLS