Uganda Airlines Reconnects with Nigeria After 21 Years

Nigeria and Uganda have taken a significant stride in enhancing their air transport cooperation, heralding a new era of connectivity between West and East Africa. This breakthrough comes as Uganda’s national carrier, Uganda Airlines, introduces a new flight service connecting Entebbe International Airport to Lagos, Nigeria. This collaboration aims to foster greater connectivity and simplify travel between the two nations.

The inaugural flight was piloted by a team of Nigerian aviators who undertook the journey from Entebbe to Lagos. This new air link, which will initially operate three times a week, represents a pivotal development in air travel between the two African countries.

To further enhance the accessibility of the Nigeria-Uganda route, the Nigerian government has approved two additional entry points for Uganda Airlines – Abuja and Kano. This decision has been made within the framework of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two nations, aligning with the spirit of the Single Africa Air Transport Market.

The launch of Uganda Airlines’ flight services to Lagos will have a profound impact on bridging the travel gap between West Africa and East Africa. It will not only facilitate easier movement of passengers but also enable seamless connections between these two regions and the rest of the world. This endeavor holds great promise for both business and leisure travelers seeking more convenient travel options.

The flight schedule for this route includes departures on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, with the journey taking less than five hours. Economy class return tickets are priced at $510, while business class tickets are available for $1,800. These competitive prices are expected to make the route attractive to a broad spectrum of travelers.

Ambassador Nelson Ocherger, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, expressed his delight at the inaugural flight and emphasized the potential for expanding business opportunities between the two nations. He remarked that the approval granted by the Nigerian government for this operation is a significant step toward boosting trade and investment and underscores the importance of air transport in realizing the African Union’s agenda.

Ambassador Ocherger revealed that Uganda has forged a partnership with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria through the Uganda Civil Aviation Academy. This collaboration is geared towards training Ugandan pilots, engineers, and other aviation professionals, further strengthening ties between the two nations in the aviation sector.

Representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar highlighted the importance of direct air connections between neighboring African countries. He stressed that depending on European hubs for flight connections should be replaced with more convenient and direct inter-African travel options. Tuggar emphasized that the collaboration between Nigeria and Uganda could lead to wealth creation and reduce travel times, thereby promoting regional trade and economic growth.

The journey to commence flight services between Uganda and Nigeria began back in 2002 when the respective Civil Aviation Ministers of both nations initiated an Air Services Agreement. The goal was to establish a direct flight route from Entebbe, Uganda, to Lagos, Nigeria. Subsequent reviews of the agreement in 2005 laid the groundwork for this momentous occasion. It is worth noting that despite the agreement’s existence, it took until October 19, 2023, for Uganda to utilize its designated airline and commence flight operations on this route.

Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, emphasized the pivotal role of aviation in connecting the people of Africa and promoting intra-African business in alignment with the continent’s 2063 Agenda. He underscored that the aviation sector presents vast opportunities for African airlines, and it is up to African nations to develop this sector for the benefit of their combined 1.37 billion people, constituting 17.4 percent of the world’s population. Keyamo issued a challenge to Nigeria’s local airlines, encouraging them to seize the opportunity to expand their operations into regional and continental flights, thus contributing to the realization of the Single Africa Air Transport Market and the Yamoussoukro Decision’s objectives, as envisioned by African leaders.

In conclusion, the introduction of direct flight services between Entebbe and Lagos by Uganda Airlines marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity between East and West Africa. This collaboration not only promises greater convenience for travelers but also holds the potential to stimulate trade and investment opportunities between Nigeria and Uganda. With a competitive pricing structure and a commitment to promoting regional and continental travel, this initiative aligns with the vision of a more interconnected and prosperous Africa.