Air Uganda acquires aircraft to ply Entebbe-Kilimanjaro route

In a bid to strengthen its footprint in the region, Air Uganda has acquired a new aircraft to ply the Entebbe-Kilimanjaro route.

The flight number U7331 on Wednesday made its maiden flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport to an impressive water salute by the airport fire service.
Recently, Air Uganda launched its operations in Somalia following signs of stability in the once war-torn country.

The new 50—seater CRJ-200 acquired on a long-term lease from GECAS USA, will be the third CRJ-200 50—seater craft to serve Air Uganda routes and the new planned routes.
This acquisition is part of the Airline’s growth plan to increase capacity and to widen its network.

“Air Uganda operated flights to Kilimanjaro in the past, which were stopped in 2008 and is re-launching into the market because the number of passengers between Entebbe and Kilimanjaro has grown significantly over the past few years with the strengthening of the East African Community,” Mr Comwell Muleya, the Air Uganda chief executive officer, said in a speech read for him by Ms Jenifer Musime, on Wednesday.

The airline boss noted that they want to make Entebbe a regional hub looking at the growing number of passengers with Air Uganda to about 3,000 passengers every month.
He said that they formerly operated a 99 seater plane, which was quite expensive compared to the new CRJ-200 seater.

Mr Muleya said Arusha remains a big tourist destination with many natural attractions including Mount Kilimanjaro, Meru and as the gateway to the largest national park in the region Serengeti.

Ms Christine Mwakatobe, the Kilimanjaro Airports development manager said they embarked on an extensive marketing campaign of the airport that has paid off well. “We have international airlines flying directly from their hub to KIA.

Last year, we welcomed Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airways,” he said.
[email protected]