Entebbe, Uganda – Uganda Airlines has launched new flights to Lusaka, Zambia, and Harare, Zimbabwe, marking a significant expansion of its route network. The airline’s inaugural flight to these destinations departed Entebbe on September 25th.
This launch represents the 15th and 16th destinations for Uganda Airlines, coming just two weeks after the addition of Abuja to its Lagos service. The airline will serve Harare and Lusaka four times a week, reestablishing direct flights between Uganda and these Southern African capitals after a 23-year absence.
Uganda Airlines’ entry into the Harare and Lusaka market is expected to disrupt the dominance of existing competitors, Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways, and RwandAir. These airlines have been benefiting from connecting traffic between Entebbe and various points in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The new routes are expected to generate significant business travel and visits from friends and relatives between Uganda and Southern Africa. Additionally, Uganda Airlines aims to leverage these destinations as connecting points for its flights to India, Dubai, and London, which are planned to be launched before the end of the year.
“We are delighted to return to the capitals of Zambia and Zimbabwe,” said Jenifer Bamuturaki, the CEO of Uganda Airlines. “These destinations demonstrate our commitment to increasing travel options for Africans by providing safe, affordable, and reliable air transport services.”
As Uganda Airlines continues to expand its network, it faces challenges related to fleet capacity. The airline’s current fleet of six aircraft may not be sufficient to accommodate further growth, potentially impacting plans for routes to Guangzhou, China.
To address this issue, Uganda Airlines is considering the acquisition of additional aircraft, including Airbus A320s and Boeing 787-800 Dreamliners. However, the timing and finalization of these purchases remain uncertain.
