Uganda Airline yesterday kicked off direct flight operations into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to improve connectivity with Nigeria.
The airline, in October last year, began direct flight operations into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and has begun the second leg of its flight operations into the country to boost trade relations.
The flight operation was kicked off with a flight from Entebbe, the Ugandan capital, into Abuja by a high-powered delegation of the Ugandan government led by its Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byanukawa, alongside members of Parliament, members of the board of Uganda Airlines, staff of the airline, and other dignitaries.
Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Nelson Ocheger, stated that the flight from the Ugandan capital to Abuja took them 3 hours and 30 minutes, unlike before, when one had to take connecting flights to travel to the country.
He, however, urged people to leverage the flight operations to develop and consolidate trade, investment, tourism, and technical cooperation between both countries. He assured the commitment of the Uganda government to create a conducive environment to facilitate trade, investment, and movement of people for major benefits.
Noting the benefits of the flight operations, the Uganda High Commissioner said it would reduce the flight hours between both countries, reduce the cost of air transport, facilitate the movement of cargo, and increase the volume of trade, thereby growing the businesses of owners.
“We have started a conversation to review all the existing frameworks that have expired, such as the drug and human trafficking agreements, thereby easing the movement of people for tourism or other purposes.
“With the creation of an enabling environment that helps people move from East to West Africa and vice versa, it will help build a bloc that will fast-track integration of the African continent,” he stated.
The Director of Air Transport Management, Mr. Hassan Ejibunu, who represented the Minister of Aviation, said a Bilateral Air Service Agreement between both countries was signed in 2022 in Kampala, which culminated in the kickoff of the flight service by Uganda Airline in October.
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He stressed that it’s important for African countries to connect to ease the movement of people and cargo and assured that the government would continue to ensure many African nations connect in the spirit of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and Yamoussoukro Declaration.
Adedayo Olawuyi, the Chief Commercial Manager for Uganda Airlines, said a ticket between Abuja and Entebbe costs about $600 for economy class, while business class costs $1,665, which is the introductory fare.