Uganda Airlines has initiated direct flights from Entebbe International Airport to Lagos, offering three weekly flights to the city.
The federal government has approved Abuja and Kano as entry points for the airline based on the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two nations, aligning with the Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM).
This move by Uganda Airlines, the national carrier of Uganda, aims to address the travel needs of passengers between West Africa and East Africa.
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Flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, with a flight duration of under 5 hours. Economy class round-trip tickets are priced at $510, while Business class tickets cost $1,800.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Nelson Ocherger, emphasized that this approval from the Nigerian government would create business opportunities for both countries, and he expressed hope for Nigerian carriers to start services to Uganda.
According to him: “The importance of air transport underscores the promotion of trade and investment and it allows Africa to leverage on all African Union, AU, agenda. We thank the Nigerian government for the necessary approval needed to do this operation.”
“Uganda through the Uganda Civil Aviation Academy has entered into a partnership with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria to train Ugandan pilots, engineers, and other aviation professionals.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, noted that bridging the gap in air connectivity between West and East Africa was crucial, as it is currently inefficient for Africans to travel to Europe before connecting to another African city, wasting hours in transit.
According to him, “It is ridiculous to go to Europe before connecting two African neighbouring countries. What we are doing today would lead to wealth creation, shortening travel time from one country to another rather than depend on Europe all the time for flight connections.”
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) who was represented by Director of Air Transport Management in the Ministry, Hassan Ejibunu stated that aviation remains the best way for Africa to connect her people and promote inter-Africa business in line with Africa’s 2063 Agenda, as championed by the continent’s leaders.
“Aviation has a huge market that should be explored by indigenous African Airlines, as no other Nations can develop the aviation sector for us, except us Africans. We need to do this in the interest of our over 1.37 billion people, which is 17.4 per cent of the world’s population. I wish to, therefore, challenge Nigeria’s local airlines to seize the opportunity to start operating regional and continental flights to make SAATM and YD achieve their aims, as envisioned by African leaders.”
