Uganda Airlines Orders Eight Boeing Aircraft in Expansion Drive

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Uganda Airlines has made its first direct order from Boeing, agreeing to acquire eight aircraft as part of a fleet expansion plan. The deal, announced on Tuesday at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, covers four Boeing 737-8 jets and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

According to the report, the national carrier intends to use the new aircraft to increase capacity, add routes and strengthen Entebbe’s role as a regional aviation hub. The 737-8s are expected to serve routes within Africa and to the Middle East and India, while the larger 787-9s are planned for longer-haul services to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake described the order as a major step in the airline’s growth strategy, linking it to ambitions around trade, tourism, investment and cargo development. Boeing’s senior vice president for commercial sales and marketing, Brad McMullen, said the aircraft would support the carrier’s next phase of network expansion. Nile Post also reported Boeing’s position that the new jets could cut fuel use by 20 to 25 percent compared with aircraft they are expected to replace.

The order comes six years after Uganda Airlines resumed commercial flights in 2019. The airline currently operates two Airbus A330-800neo long-haul aircraft, four Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets and a leased Boeing 737-800. It serves 17 destinations in 13 countries from Entebbe International Airport, with further passenger and cargo growth planned.