The launch of the first-ever direct cargo flights between Entebbe and Riyadh by Saudi Arabia’s top low-cost airline, Flynas, has significantly bolstered Uganda’s export aspirations and has the potential to transform agricultural trade flows between East Africa and the Gulf.
With three weekly landings on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the new service increases weekly cargo capacity by six tons.
Specifically designed for fast-moving perishables such as fresh produce, refrigerated fish, vegetables, and general freight, each trip has two tons of room.
Wail Dagash, CEO of Jet Fresh Cargo, the airline’s General Sales & Service Agent (GSSA) in Uganda, declared, “This is a game-changer for Uganda’s exporters.”
“Logistics have been a trading impediment for years. However, we now have a direct and dependable lifeline to a significant market in the Middle East.
Delivery times are significantly reduced by the direct Entebbe-Riyadh link, as departing flights only take 4 hours and 40 minutes.
Bookings are accepted up to 4 p.m. the day before, and the timetable is tailored for fresh cargo, departing at 4:20 a.m. local time and arriving in Riyadh by 9 a.m. On board, packages up to 120×160 cm are accepted.
At a crucial point, the new airbridge is delivered. The trade balance is still unbalanced even though Uganda’s exports to Saudi Arabia totaled $8.18 million in 2023, driven by chilled fish ($3.81M), coffee ($1.37M), tropical fruits, dairy, and vegetables.
The action taken by Flynas is a component of a larger plan to increase its footprint in Africa. As Saudi Arabia works to diversify its commerce and aviation portfolio under Vision 2030, the airline expanded its reach by starting passenger operations to Entebbe in January 2025.
Flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the region, serves 30 countries with 1,500 weekly flights on 139 routes, 70 of which are domestic and 69 of which are international.
The airline has received numerous honors, such as the World Travel Awards’ title of Middle East’s Leading Low-Cost Airline and Skytrax’s ranking of fourth in its category worldwide.
For Dagash, this is only the beginning.
There is space for transshipment to other locations now that Riyadh and Jeddah are taken care of. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a whole may benefit from this approach as it develops.
“Let’s use this corridor wisely,” he said, calling on Ugandan producers to step up to the challenge. Our farmers and exporters must take advantage of the open opportunity.
The only airline operating direct air freight flights between Entebbe International Airport and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as of April 2025, is Flynas.
Other airlines that offer cargo flights from Entebbe to a variety of locations, including connections to the Middle East, include Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Etihad Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, and Qatar Airways Cargo.
However, instead of providing direct flights to Riyadh, these services usually entail layovers or transshipments through their respective hubs in locations like Dubai, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. As a result, Flynas is the only airline that offers a direct cargo link between Riyadh and Entebbe.
“Let’s use this corridor wisely,” he said, calling on Ugandan producers to step up to the challenge. Our farmers and exporters must take advantage of the open opportunity.
The only airline operating direct air freight flights between Entebbe International Airport and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as of April 2025, is Flynas.
Other airlines that offer cargo flights from Entebbe to a variety of locations, including connections to the Middle East, include Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Etihad Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, and Qatar Airways Cargo.
However, instead of providing direct flights to Riyadh, these services usually entail layovers or transshipments through their respective hubs in locations like Dubai, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. As a result, Flynas is the only airline that offers a direct cargo link between Riyadh and Entebbe.
