Uganda’s skies brighten up

Kampala

It used to handle less than 135, 000 passengers annually in the late 1980s. Only six scheduled airlines flew into the country then. Uganda Airlines was the only national operator with a fleet of four outmoded and unreliable aircrafts, which were also banned from operating in Britain because of noise abatement restrictions.
There was no big difference in the mid 1990s. The industry was still virtually monopolised by a few players such as Kenya Airways, which charged exorbitant fares and made it difficult for many people to fly to domestic, regional and international destinations. This has long changed.

The aviation sector has proved to be an industrial powerhouse in Uganda in the past few years following entrance of new players sparking off competition not only in prices, but also in service delivery.

The recent launch of the Turkish Airlines Entebbe route brings the number of airlines operating in the country to 19. Other airlines include: Air Uganda, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eagle Air, Egyptair, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Fly540, Hewa Bora, Kenya Airways, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Pelita Air, Royal Air Maroc, Rwandair Express and South African Airways among others. Competition also saw the number of scheduled aircrafts flying the Entebbe route go up four-fold.

For instance, South African Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch operate daily flights to and from Entebbe. British Airways on the other hand has three flights yet Egypt Air operates two flights to and from Entebbe every week.

Other continental airlines like Kenya Airways, Air Uganda, Royal Daisy Airlines and Rwandair Express operate daily flights. Air Tanzania flies twice a week.
The airport, which underwent a major face lift in 2007 due to the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting, now handles about four million domestic and international passengers annually.

The facilities at the airport, including the automation of parking fees and electronic air tickets, were put in place to enhance efficiency and better service provision.
Mr Ignie Igundura, the Civil Aviation Authority public affairs manager, attributed the growing international flights to the Entebbe route to improved performance of the economy, political stability and the confidence operators have in Uganda’s aviation security and safety.

Mr Donald Ajuoga, the country manager of Kenya Airways Uganda links the growth of the industry to Uganda’s investments in facilities like hotels that have made it a conferencing hub in the region. He further added that the launch of the Common Market has interested more people to come and prospect the region for business.

Mr Igundura, however, said traffic at the airport is still low compared to the capacity of 2.5 million passengers the facility is capable of handling per year.“The airport is still underutilised but we will continue interesting potential investors to open routes to Entebbe,” Mr Igundura said in a recent interview. He further said by 2020, the country’s growth in air cargo movement is estimated to hit an all-high of 150,000 metric tonnes of exports, 30,000 metric tonnes of imports and 1.8 million passenger levels.

In addition, the Arua Airfield, which is expected to handle 70,000 passengers annually, is being upgraded to an international airport to facilitate large passenger and cargo planes to land in Arua.

Being landlocked and its central position in the East African region, building safe, efficient and reliable air transport is of strategic importance to Uganda as it guarantees an alternative gateway to the rest of the world.

Therefore, the increasing buoyancy of Uganda’s airline industry is expected to boost Uganda’s economic and tourism sectors through increased movement of people and goods. Both the Entebbe and Arua Airports will serve as tourism and commercial centres for East and Central Africa as they will act as entry and exit points.

The country’s internal flights including: Eagle Air that covers most of the Uganda destinations to major towns like Gulu, Moyo, Kigtgum, Kidepo National Park, Murchison Falls park, Bwindi Gorilla Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and other corners of the country makes it easier for tourists to connect to most tourism centres in the country.

Efficiency in service provision by other stakeholders including airlines, ground handling companies, security and the surrounding community is also instrumental in the growth of the sector. “The ground handling companies have done a recommendable job in providing good customer care at the airport,” Mr Igundura said.

Entebbe Handling Services (ENHAS) is an example of a ground handling company at the airport, which was established to provide ground handling services to both regional and international airlines.

Mr Orhan Subay, Turkish Airline Director Uganda, said though still small, Uganda’s airline industry portrays signs of a growing industry. Uganda’s airline industry is estimated to grow at a rate of 24 per cent per annum.

To free space for international flight operations, CAA plans to shift domestic flight operations to a new terminal building estimated to cost $1.5 million. Mr Ajuoga, however, said high fuel prices, increased competition and high overhead costs are still a challenge to the industry. He was, however, optimistic that the Common Market will reduce costs as a result of reduced taxes.

Aircrafts flying to East African destinations have been paying international taxes, which are said to be too high in Uganda compared to other countries in the region. However, under the Common Market, all aeroplanes crossing to each other’s territory will be regarded as domestic, attracting low tax, something Mr Ajuoga said will reduce costs and boost the industry in the region.