Uganda Airlines has officially announced that scheduled flights connecting Entebbe International Airport (EBB) and London Gatwick Airport will start on May 18, 2025. This symbolizes an immense achievement for the national airline as it starts its maiden route to Europe. This is the first time in over ten years Uganda and the United Kingdom will have a direct flight link thus marks the airline’s first push into the European market.
The newly introduced service will operate four times every week, on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The departing time from London Gatwick varies throughout the day, from morning to evening offering flexibility for both business and leisure travelers. For instance, Tuesday and Wednesday flights depart between 9:40 and 9:50 a.m., whereas Sunday flights depart at 7:05 p.m. Flights take around 9 hours, and all arrive in Entebbe on the same day or early the next morning.
The flight is going to be operated by Uganda Airlines’ flagship aircraft, the Airbus A330-800neo, one of the world’s most advanced and rare wide-body aircraft in commercial service. The airplane has three classes: 20 Business Class seats with lie-flat mattresses, 28 Premium Economy seats with increased legroom, and 213 Economy Class seats with sophisticated entertainment systems. Throughout the flight, the airline pledges to provide passengers with comfortable and culturally appropriate services.
This expansion into Europe comes as Uganda Airlines celebrates its fifth anniversary, a historic milestone that marks the airline’s transition from its initial formation phase to long-term growth. According to CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki, the new London route “marks the end of our establishment phase and sets us on course for long-term growth and expansion.” The launch of direct flights to London is expected to boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Uganda and the United Kingdom. It will also give a convenient travel option for Uganda’s significant diaspora in the UK, reducing the need for lengthy layovers in other countries.
The Ugandan government operates Uganda Airlines and it was started in 2019. The organization is the reincarnation of an older airline with the same name which went out of business in 2001.
The concept of Uganda Airlines is a common one as the government believes that establishing a national airline will benefit the economy significantly, as international air service may promote economic growth. However, the airline is also very ambitious, possibly unrealistically so.
While the Dubai and Mumbai routes may be primarily concerned with transferring individuals seeking employment overseas, I believe the London route is mostly concerned with visitors, considering Uganda’s natural beauty and safaris.
This development aligns with Uganda’s broader efforts to boost tourism. The country offers a diverse array of tourism activities like gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park and game viewing in savannah parks.
Will this route genuinely generate revenue for Uganda airline?
Uganda Airlines is trying to grow though continues to lose bundles of money, for instance, in 2024 the organization lost around $65 million which is a lot of money especially considering the airline’s fleet of around a half-dozen aircraft. However in previous years, losses were far higher.
Africa is a difficult aviation market, particularly when it comes to lengthy flights. Ethiopian Airlines is successful because it is the only organized and developed airline that provides unequaled access to the continent. Aside from that, the region has few profitable airlines.
The fate of the London route will most likely be determined by how long the government is ready to accept losses and how much the government feels an airline contributes to economic growth.
Tickets for Entebbe- London Gatwick Airport route are currently available through Uganda Airlines official website, airline booking offices and other major booking platforms.
