In a bid to activate a dominance approach and raise competition on the Nairobi-Entebbe route, Uganda Airlines has announced plans to commence the maiden flight to Kenyan capital, Nairobi on a date yet to be set.
Earlier, through a twitter post, the airline said that it was making preparations to commence its first flight at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport following its revival recently.
“Ready to fly with us on our maiden flights? Well pack your bags, Uganda; for we are heading to Nairobi,” the tweet read.
The move by Uganda airlines poses a challenge to the Kenya Airways and its subsidiary Jambojet that currently dominate the route. Rwandair also operates on the route. However, this could result into a pardon to passengers flying the route as the fight for travelers is expected to result into lower charges.
According to Uganda airlines, once full scale operations commence, probable this July, the aircraft are expected to make flights to 26 destinations. The confirmed 19 regional and 7 international routes are demand driven.
It is not clear though if the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has cleared the Ugandan carrier for operation. This was from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority director general Gilbert Kibe who commented that the agency has not received the request from Uganda Airlines.
“I have not seen the request although being a bilateral Air Service Agreement members, they would route their request via the ministry,” said Mr Kibe.
Previously founded by former dictator Idi Amin in 1976, Uganda Airlines was liquidated in the 1990s by Mr. Museveni under a broader programme to privatise troubled state firms and open up the economy. They were later re launched earlier last year.
The carrier is expected to start full operations in July this year after completing the Air Operator Certification (AOC certification) process.
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