Uganda Airlines has announced the
commencement of direct flights from Entebbe International Airport with three
weekly flights to Lagos, Nigeria.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap in travel options for people in West and East Africa. There will be under 5-hour flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. According to the Single Africa Air Transport Market, the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) has given Abuja and Kano approval as entry points.
Ambassador Nelson Ocherger, the high
commissioner of Uganda to Nigeria, stated that Ugandans eagerly anticipate the
start of services provided by Nigerian carriers and that Nigeria's approval of
Uganda's first flight would open up commercial opportunities for both countries.
"The
importance of air transport underscores the promotion of trade and investment
and it allows Africa to leverage on all African Union, AU, agenda. We thank the
Nigerian government for the necessary approval needed to do this
operation." "Uganda through the Uganda Civil Aviation Academy has
entered into a partnership with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology
(NCAT), Zaria to train Ugandan pilots, engineers, and other aviation
professionals," he stated.
According to Uganda's Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Ugandan Airlines' operation is
considered a viable solution to the problems with air transportation between
West and East Africa. However, the minister questioned why Africans waste
almost 12 hours on a journey that ought to take less time by first travelling to
Europe and then connecting to another African city.
"It is
ridiculous to go to Europe before connecting two African neighboring countries. What we are doing today would lead to wealth creation, shortening
travel time from one country to another rather than depend on Europe all the
time for flight connections," he said.
Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, and Hassan Ejibunu, the director of air transport management, stressed that, in keeping with Africa's 2063 Agenda, aviation is the most effective means for Africa to connect its people and foster intra-African trade.
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