In an effort to shorten travel times and strengthen links between Uganda and Britain, Uganda Airlines said on Thursday that it will begin direct flights from Entebbe to London Gatwick on May 18. With four weekly flights, the new route is the airline’s first entry into the UK, a significant market with 200,000 or more Ugandans living there.
The Airbus A330-800neo, which has 258 seats in business, premium economy, and economy classes, will take off from Entebbe on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Gatwick is reached between 07:35 and 16:55 GMT, with departure times ranging from 00:05 to 09:25 local time. Return flights arrive in Entebbe between 21:10 and 06:35 the following day, departing Gatwick between 09:40 and 19:05 GMT. Flight times range from eight and a half to nine and a half hours.
Fred Bamwesigye, director general of Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority, praised the advantages for trade and tourism, saying, “This is a game-changer for connectivity.” The route eliminates the need for connecting flights via hubs such as Nairobi or Dubai; one-way rates, including taxes, start at $475 from Entebbe and £395 from London. The airline’s platforms and agents are now selling tickets.
Years of preparation went into the debut, which included a change of location from London Heathrow because of slot limitations.
Using a fleet updated with the fuel-efficient A330-800neo, Uganda Airlines has grown to 14 destinations since its 2019 rebirth. According to analysts, the Gatwick route is an attempt to meet the rising demand from both business and leisure tourists.
The airline’s owner, the Ugandan government, sees the expansion as a step toward economic benefits that will strengthen ties between East Africa and Europe. The carrier wants to establish a niche in a competitive industry that has long been controlled by regional titans by offering reduced fares and a dependable schedule.
