CAA Scales down Passenger flights ahead of resumption

By Sadique Bamwita
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has scaled down the number of flights for airline operators and announced mandatory COVID-19 test for all Airport service providers as it resumes operations today.

While addressing the press at Entebbe International Airport on the Readiness for resumption of commercial flights, Fred Bamwesigye, the Director General Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, said in the first phase of reopening at the airport all airline operators will l have a chance of one flight per day and then in the second phase which will run from January to June 2021 the number of flights will be increased.

“With time, the operations will be increased and we plan to have more flights in the second phase covering six months. However we shall continue to review the situation and increase the frequencies in April 2021.

Bamwesigye warned airport users who might violate Health standard operating procedures (SOPs) that they will be denied entry at Entebbe International Airport.
“Airlines shall not board a passenger coming to Uganda without negative COVID-19 health certificate. A passenger with COVID-19 signs shall be transported to Entebbe hospital for treatment while a passenger who wish to be treated in his/her home country shall be allowed but provided this is done on own costs. The aircraft shall be disinfected on loading and before passengers board.

Bamwesigye called on government for budget support for the airport to effectively run its activities saying COVID-19 greatly affected the authority’s revenue earning.

On the other hand, Emmanuel Balungi, the General Manager Entebbe International Airport, said that when the airport reopens all flights in and out of the country shall be regulated to minimize crowds at the Airport.

Balungi also noted that all CAA staffs that were sent on leave during the lockdown will be tested for COVID-19 before they resume work.