Uganda Airlines boss acknowledges the effect of COVID_19 on airline business.

By Sadique Bamwita

Entebbe

As the economy struggles to recover from the impact of the lockdown following partial lifting of some restrictions on some economic sectors, the Chief Executive officer (CEO), Uganda Airlines has acknowledged the effect of COVID-19 on the airline business due to the closure of Entebbe international airport.

Uganda Airlines is the flag carrier of Uganda. The company is a revival of the older Uganda Airlines which operated from 1977 until 2001 and it began flying in August 2019 till to date.

While celebrating the Airline birth day anniversary at the Uganda Airlines office in Entebbe, Cornell Muleya revealed that COVID-19 pandemic has changed the airline business alot.

“Despite the COVID_19 pandemic we our plans are still on course. Its not easy start and come up with standards required to fly a plane.

Muleya noted that Uganda Airlines intends to extend its network to intercontinental destination when the Airbus arrives in December this year.

“We shall long routes in europe next year.

Muleya further noted that Uganda Airlines has so far ferried over 75,000 passengers ever since they begun operations.

“This has been possible because of capital from the shareholder that has enabled us to open new routes and operate regional markets.

It should be noted that  Following studies and wide consultations, the Cabinet of Uganda, opted to re-launch Uganda Airlines, with six new jets, two of which will be the wide-body, long-range A330-800neo and the other four being CRJ900 aircraft. The studies recommended an equity investment by the government of approximately US$70 million and loans totaling US$330 million, borrowed from regional lenders, such as the Trade and Development Bank, to complete the purchase.