Home Airlines in Uganda Blame High Costs of Operation for Limited Flights

Airlines in Uganda Blame High Costs of Operation for Limited Flights

March 17, 2023

Newly acquired Uganda Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft stand on the runway at Entebbe Airport on the outskirts of Kampala on April 23, 2019. - The first two planes purchased in a bid to relaunch Uganda Airlines have been delivered, nearly two decades after the East African country's national carrier collapsed. The two Bombardier CRJ900 jet airliners, which can carry up to 90 people, landed at the Entebbe airport outside the capital Kampala during a ceremony attended by President Yoweri Museveni. (Photo by Nicholas BAMULANZEKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS BAMULANZEKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Air operators in Uganda have said operational costs such as high fuel prices, poor state of regional airstrips, and low domestic demand are key factors that limit growth on domestic air transport.

The operators made the call while seeking renewal of their Air Service Licenses by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at a public hearing conducted by retired deputy Chief Justice and CAA chairman, Steven Kavuma.

They said Airlines pay $2.4 (Shs8,999) per litre of gasoline compared to their Kenyan counterparts who pay $1.8 (Shs6,749), while also incurring an additional international passenger levy of $57 (Shs213,731) for each passenger.

Airline operators also argued that the cost of operations remain high, driven partly by high fuel prices, and high charges for international passengers transiting through Entebbe International Airport.