The much long awaited Uganda Airlines two – 1st A330neo Airbus arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Tuesday 22nd December from Toulouse, France after a long haul 7 hour and 30 minutes flight since being handed over by Airbus Manufacturers on Monday early this week. The France to destination Uganda flight depart Toulouse at 01:00hrs which is an equivalent of 3am Ugandan time and was received with a water salute as the norm is for new Aircraft at Entebbe International Airport.
The delivery ceremony for the two 1st A330neo Airbus was presided over by His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who was the Chief Guest, Ministry of works key officials including General Katumba Wamala – the Minister for Works and Transport, Mr. Bageya Waiswa – the Permanent secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Cornwell Muleya – Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Pilots, Media, among other delegates from Government Agencies.
The delivery flight from France for the two 1st A330neo Airbus was done by Captain Micheal Etiang – the Uganda Airlines Chief Pilot and co-pilot from Airbus together with other crew members who have been in Toulouse for training and taking the delivery of the Airbus was Mr. Bageya Waiswa – the Permanent secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport who signed all the bi-lateral air flight agreement transfer documents on behalf of Government of Uganda in France and receivership of the Aircraft was done by His Excellency General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the President of the Republic of Uganda.
The Minister for Works and Transport, General Katumba Edward Wamala during the delivery ceremony at Entebbe International Airport congratulated Uganda Airlines upon the milestone and reaffirmed that the Airline will stand a big role to boosting trade and tourism in Uganda.
File Photo: The Minister for Works and Transport, General Katumba Edward Wamala addressing guests during the delivery ceremony at Entebbe International Airport on Tuesday.
He revealed that, ‘’The Government has fully completed all necessary payments for the purchase of the Uganda Airlines two 1st A330neo Aircraft with Airbus Manufactures in the United Kingdom. The State of the Art plane will give Uganda Airlines an operational advantage of being able to make direct flights to different destinations and cities across the World’’.
He added that, ‘’Already mapped routes include long haul flight destinations of Guangzhou and Beijing in China, London, Johannesburg – South Africa and Dubai as these are already on schedule’’.
Mr. Bageya Waiswa – the Permanent secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport asserted that Uganda Airlines has received what was ordered for as the two planes are now fully owned by Uganda National Airlines Company adding to its initial fleet of Four CRJ900 Bombardier Aircraft that were received last year in August and have been offering regional commercial passenger flights to destinations and cities of; Mombasa, Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Bujumbura, Juba, Mogadishu and Kigali.
He quoted, ‘’The Uganda Airlines two A330neo Aircraft is now a property of Uganda that will ease passenger and cargo air travel connecting Uganda to the World. All the necessary legal documents are already in the custody of Uganda National Airlines Company, the serial number is registered as 1977 – indicated on all the bi-lateral air flight documents and on the engines’’.
He continued and said, ‘’Our Engineers have been on the ground to ensure everything is right on point thereby doing an incredible job. The interior including the cabin space, seats, toilets, lights, pantry and inflight ice entertainment systems are what we call fully or wholly furnished to give passengers ultimate air travel comfort as deigned by our experienced engineers. This is the latest addition to Uganda Airlines, it is an Aircraft for Uganda and therefore no shares are owned by any foreigner’’.
The Chief Guest also receiver, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – President of Uganda lauded Uganda Airlines upon the delivery of the two 1st A330neo flag carriers of Uganda Airlines and Uganda as a Country.
File Photo: His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni seated inside the new 1st A330neo Aircraft upon delivery.
He said, ‘’ I congratulate Ugandans upon this achievement and encourage each one of us to support our own Airline. To the management, staff and officials of this Airline, I do not want to hear of any corruption in the Airline, I don’t want to even smell a little of it’’.
He concluded saying, ‘’ I am hopeful that this Airline will help us to boost tourism and travel across the continent and beyond’’.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s Technical team have also been always available and on ground to study the Aircraft for purposes of regulation.
Upon Arrival and before, the 1st A330neo Aircraft was disinfected given the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The A330neo Airbus will give passengers seemless direct flights connecting to global destinations, offer convenience, greater comfort and a distinct passenger experience.
File Photo: The new Aircraft receiving a water salute upon arrival on Tuesday.
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