London Gatwick Airport has thrown a lavish party for Uganda Airlines, commemorating the Ugandan flag carrier’s new direct route from Entebbe to London. This move has calmed skeptics and excited aviation aficionados. The enthusiastic reception given by the UK airport authorities to this four-times-weekly service, which is scheduled to begin on May 18, 2025, highlights Uganda Airlines’ increasing prominence as one of Africa’s fastest-rising aviation stars.
In a statement posted on X on March 24, Gatwick Airport, the second-busiest hub in the United Kingdom, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Uganda Airlines to the London Gatwick family!” The airline is re-establishing a direct flying link between Uganda and the UK after almost ten years, an achievement that critics and detractors had long written off as unlikely. This announcement represents a big milestone for the airline.
After relaunching in 2019, Uganda Airlines faced years of doubts about its ability to compete on the international scene. Critics cited the operational and financial difficulties that many African carriers face.
Uganda Airlines has succeeded in spite of the challenges, growing its network to 17 destinations, including intercontinental flights to Mumbai, Dubai, and now London. This quick rise has been largely attributed to the airline’s fleet, which includes contemporary Airbus A330-800neos and Bombardier CRJ900s, making it a strong force in a cutthroat market.
Operated by the cutting-edge A330-800neo, the new Entebbe-London Gatwick route will reduce travel time from 16 hours to only 9 hours, providing smooth connectivity for tourists, business travelers, and the Ugandan diaspora in the UK.
The CEO of Uganda Airlines, Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki, praised the development as a “breakthrough moment,” pointing out that it signifies the conclusion of the airline’s founding phase and lays the groundwork for future expansion.
During the launch event in Kampala, she stated, “This route connects Uganda to critical business and tourism markets in Western Europe and beyond.”
The “haters” who questioned Uganda Airlines’ capacity to obtain landing rights in a significant European hub were directly rebuked by Gatwick’s excitement. After encountering slot limitations, the airline changed its focus from London Heathrow to Gatwick, a calculated move that proved successful. This relationship has been a win-win because of Gatwick’s superior transport connections and reduced operating costs, as well as the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s acceptance of the Foreign Carriers Permit.
The Gatwick Express guarantees the route’s popularity by transporting customers to Central London in just thirty minutes.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, highlighted the route’s wider significance.
He credited President Yoweri Museveni’s goal for restoring the airline as an economic accelerator, saying, “This is a strategic development that advances Uganda’s economic interests, boosts tourism, and strengthens international relations.”
The numbers are self-evident. Given that 78,000 passengers travel round-trip between London and Entebbe each year and that Uganda would export $22.6 million worth of goods to the UK in 2024, the route is expected to boost both trade and tourism.
Further defying critics who undervalued the airline’s potential, Uganda Airlines’ move to Gatwick also fits with the UK’s post-Brexit drive to strengthen links with growing markets like East Africa.
Uganda Airlines has exceeded expectations as one of Africa’s fastest-growing airlines. With 81 weekly departures from Entebbe, it has grown from a modest relaunch with two CRJ900s in 2019 to become the leading airline at the airport. Its African network spans 14 cities, with plans for Accra and beyond, while its intercontinental ambitions continue to take flight. Industry watchers have praised the airline’s tenacity, pointing out its capacity to handle difficulties like as the COVID-19 pandemic and establish a presence in cutthroat markets.
This is a source of pride for Ugandans, who see it as more than just a new flight path. As the Crane prepares to flap its wings over London, the critics are left grounded, while Uganda Airlines soars to new heights, proving that ambition, strategy, and a dash of defiance can overcome even the roughest skies.
