Uganda Airlines to Rent Another Plane After South Africa Issues
Uganda Airlines plans to rent another Airbus A320 from a Danish company starting late November. This decision comes after earlier challenges with South Africa's aviation rules.
Uganda Airlines is set to lease a new Airbus A320 from Denmark’s DAT (Kolding), following challenges faced earlier this year with a similar leasing arrangement in South Africa. The new aircraft, a 9-year-old A320-200 registered as OY-RUY, will join the airline’s fleet by the end of November to support its winter schedule.
Uganda Airlines is a scheduled carrier based at Entebbe International Airport, serving a growing network of destinations. The airline, as of November 2024 operates a fleet of six aircraft and currently flies to 17 destinations across various regions. With 21 active routes, Uganda Airlines provides 25 daily flights, ensuring regular connectivity for both domestic and international passengers. The airline continues to expand its operations, aiming to meet the growing demand for air travel in the region.
Overcoming South African Hurdles
Earlier this year, Uganda Airlines leased an A320-200 from South Africa’s Global Aviation Operations to handle growing demand on regional routes. However, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) delayed the deployment of the aircraft, requiring adjustments to Uganda Airlines’ operating permit. This caused significant operational disruptions.
The lease, initially intended to last six months, was terminated in October in line with Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) regulations, which limit wet-leases to six months. CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki confirmed that after completing the regulatory process, a new wet-lease arrangement was secured with DAT to ensure smooth operations during the busy travel season.
What is Wet-Leasing?
Wet-leasing involves renting a plane along with its crew, maintenance services, and insurance. For Uganda Airlines, this is a short-term fix to meet capacity demands while awaiting delivery of new aircraft.
The new A320 will temporarily replace the South African-leased A320 while the airline prepares for long-term fleet expansion.
Upcoming Aircraft and Long-Term Plans
Uganda Airlines plans to lease two state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo planes by June 2025. These planes will bridge the capacity gap as the airline works toward acquiring four additional A320neos directly from Airbus. However, the delivery of these four planes is only expected after 2030 due to limited production slots.
For its long-haul services, Uganda Airlines has announced plans to order two Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This decision marks a shift from previous plans to expand its fleet of Airbus A330s, citing the need for “more engine options” that the A330 could not currently provide.
The Dreamliner acquisition is awaiting finalization and funding approval from Uganda’s Ministry of Finance. Once secured, these aircraft will complement the airline’s existing fleet of two A330-800Ns and four CRJ900LRs.
Fleet Challenges and Opportunities
Despite ambitious plans, Uganda Airlines has struggled with underutilization of its two A330 planes. Initially intended for long-haul routes, these planes were instead deployed on shorter regional routes, leading to fewer flying hours and reduced revenue.
This operational inefficiency caused delays in meeting monthly revenue targets and paying engine lease fees. However, recent efforts to deploy the A330s on routes like Mumbai International have improved utilization.
In March 2025, Uganda Airlines plans to launch four weekly flights to London Gatwick. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has agreed to grant Uganda Airlines access to Gatwick slots for the 2025 summer and winter seasons, provided the airline meets the required usage threshold of 80% of allocated slots.
What This Means for Passengers
The addition of the leased A320 from Denmark ensures uninterrupted service on regional routes during the busy winter season. Furthermore, the expansion of long-haul routes, including London Gatwick, reflects Uganda Airlines’ broader vision to establish itself as a competitive international carrier.
With plans for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft and expanded destinations, Uganda Airlines is working to overcome current challenges and position itself for sustainable growth in the years ahead.
In Summary
Uganda Airlines’ decision to lease another A320 demonstrates its resilience in the face of operational challenges. As the airline focuses on fleet modernization and route expansion, passengers can look forward to improved services and new travel opportunities. The coming years will test Uganda Airlines’ ability to manage its ambitious growth strategy while addressing existing inefficiencies.
