Top Story: Uganda Airlines Faces Long-Haul Flight Disruptions Amid Fleet Strain
ENTEBBE – Uganda Airlines has confirmed a wave of delays and cancellations affecting its long-haul international routes, citing “operational challenges” linked to its limited wide-body aircraft fleet.
The disruptions first came to light on the Entebbe–Dubai route, where passengers reported multiple reschedules before being informed—some just hours before boarding—that their flights had been postponed until at least Sunday.
In a short public statement, the national carrier acknowledged the situation:
“We are currently experiencing disruptions on our long-haul schedules operated with our Airbus A330-800neo aircraft.”
While the airline did not offer detailed explanations, the issues are understood to center around its two Airbus A330-800neo jets, which serve the airline’s three intercontinental routes:
- Entebbe–London Gatwick (launched May 2025, 4x weekly)
- Entebbe–Dubai (4x weekly: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
- Entebbe–Mumbai (3x weekly)
By contrast, regional flights across Africa — serviced by the airline’s fleet of Bombardier CRJ-900s — remain largely unaffected.
Fleet Pressure and Growing Demand
Industry analysts suggest that Uganda Airlines’ long-haul fleet may be stretched too thin to meet rising demand. With only two wide-body aircraft handling all intercontinental operations, even minor technical issues or scheduling delays can create widespread disruptions.
The strain is compounded by surging cargo demand on the London route, where the airline reports full-capacity bookings several months in advance. Dubai remains the most commercially successful destination, for both freight and passenger services.
Expansion on the Horizon
The turbulence comes as Uganda Airlines pushes forward with an ambitious 10-year expansion plan, which includes:
- Acquiring six new aircraft, including two dedicated freighters
- Launching new long-haul routes to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Guangzhou
- Expanding regional coverage to cities like Accra (Ghana) and Cape Town (South Africa)
However, for the moment, passengers are left dealing with the fallout of limited capacity — a growing pain in the airline’s quest to become a regional aviation powerhouse.
What’s Next?
Uganda Airlines has not announced when full service will resume on the affected routes, nor provided a schedule update. Passengers are advised to check flight status updates directly through official channels.
For a young airline seeking to position itself as East Africa’s premier carrier, the latest disruptions underscore a critical reality: ambition must be matched by operational resilience.
