The meeting, held on April 24th, 2024, marked a crucial step towards expanding the airline's international routes.
According to Mr. Deo Nyanzi, Manager of Government Relations at Uganda Airlines, the approval is subject to the airline fulfilling all required formalities set by the UAE Civil Aviation Authority. This includes obtaining the necessary permits and meeting safety and operational standards.
Uganda's Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Zaake Kibedi, expressed his enthusiasm for the new route, stating, "This development marks a significant milestone in the growth of Uganda Airlines and strengthens the bilateral relations between Uganda and the UAE."
He added that the airline is scheduled to meet with the top management of Etihad Airlines to discuss possibilities of signing a codeshare agreement, which would further enhance the travel experience for passengers.
Mr Nyanzi Deo - Manager Government Relations and Routes Coordination Uganda Airlines, H.E Omar Ghaleb- Deputy Director-General UAE Civil Aviation Authority, H.E. Amb. Zaake Kibedi Uganda Ambassador to UAE and Mr Hassan Ahmed Barman- Officer in charge of Air Transport, strategy and international affairs- UAE Civil Aviation Authority
Read: Uganda Airlines acquires 35-year-old Airbus A320 from South Africa
Growing schedule
Currently, Uganda Airlines operates flights to several destinations in Africa, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Dar es Salaam, as well as international routes to Dubai, Juba, and Mogadishu. The addition of Abu Dhabi to its network will provide passengers with more options for travel to the Middle East and beyond.
To accommodate the growing number of routes, Uganda Airlines is expanding its fleet with the acquisition of new aircraft. The airline operates two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft for mid-range routes in Dubai, India, South Africa and Nigeria.
This expansion will not only increase capacity but also provide passengers with a more modern and comfortable travel experience.
The new flights to Abu Dhabi are expected to commence soon, with the airline working closely with the UAE Civil Aviation Authority to finalize the necessary formalities.