► NIGERIA: Ethiopian Airlines now eyes a return to Kano as more carriers show interest.

With recent inauguration of 4x weekly flights from Addis Ababa to the south-eastern Nigerian city of Enugu, Ethiopian Airlines has now stated it plans to resume flights to Kano, suspended over ten years ago.

■ RWANDA: Burundi, Rwanda sign Open Skies agreement in line with EAC protocol.

Rwanda and Burundi have signed an Open Skies Bilateral Air Services Agreement with for provision for carriers from both countries to have unlimited frequencies to each other's airspace. The move is in line with the East African Community's (EAC) efforts to liberalize its airspace through the elimination, between member states, of all the economic restrictions in the aviation sub sector related to capacity, frequencies, city pairs, cabotage, and designation of airlines.

► RWANDA: Air Uganda, RwandAir sign codeshare deal.

Air Uganda (U7) and RwandAir (WB) yesterday signed a code-share agreement which, effective immediately, covers the Entebbe - Kigali route and will provide travellers with an increased choice of flights between the two cities. The signing ceremony took place at Kigali International Airport and was officiated by Mr. Cornwell Muleya, the CEO of Air Uganda  and Mr. John Mirenge , the CEO of RwandAir. 

► UGANDA: Government outlines its initial fleet requirements for Uganda Airlines 2.0.

Kampala is moving ahead with plans to resurrect defunct national carrier, Uganda Airlines (QU), following reports that government has already outlined its intended fleet requirements for twelve aircraft needed to service regional and international routes.

► SOMALIA: (MEDIA) Air Uganda touches down in Mogadishu.

Air Uganda (U7) on 8 July 2013, launched its 3x weekly service between Entebbe and Mogadishu, Somalia using a CRJ200. On hand to see in the arrival were Government officials from both Somalia and Uganda who welcomed the Air Uganda jet with the symbolic “water canon salute”.

► UGANDA: Air Uganda eyes future regional, international expansion once East Africa is "conquered".

Air Uganda's (U7) CEO, Mr Cornwell Muleya, has outlined his ambitions for the airline which include plans to expand "beyond the East African market" once all opportunities in the region have been exhausted.

► SOMALIA: Air Uganda to start Entebbe - Mogadishu from July 8.

True to its word, Air Uganda (U7) will from 8 July 2013, launch its previously announced 3x weekly service between Entebbe and Mogadishu, Somalia using its recently delivered CRJ200 (MCN 7363 | 5X-UGH).

► SOMALIA: Air Uganda eyeing Mogadishu flights with third CRJ200.

The newly appointed CEO of Air Uganda (U7), Cornwell Muleya, has set forth a bold new initiative by saying his company plans to use it's recently acquired Bombardier CRJ200 (MCN 7363 | 5X-UGH) to commence direct flights between Entebbe and the Somali capital, Mogadishu, later this year.

► FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: AV Cargo Airlines, Jet4Now, Allegiance Gabon, Gambian Government, Air Uganda

The following is a fleet update bulletin for aircraft that are in use, have been in use or will be in use for these listed airlines: AV Cargo Airlines, Jet 4 Now (Allegiance Airways Gabon (ATG)), The Republic of the Gambia, and Air Uganda(U7).

■ UGANDA: Cornwell Muleya appointed CEO of Air Uganda.

Meridiana Africa Airlines (Uganda) Limited, also known as Air Uganda(U7), has announced the appointment of Cornwell Muleya to the position of CEO. He joins Air Uganda from Kenyan outfit ALS - Aircraft Leasing Services (K4), where he has been CEO for the last 3 years. An Engineer and Chartered Accountant by trade, Mr Muleya spent the early part of his career in audit and financial consulting with Deloitte and PriceWaterHouseCoopers.

► UGANDA: Air Uganda announces changes to Juba, Dar es Salaam ops effective 1 May.

In continuation to our previous post, Air Uganda (U7) has updated its schedule with changes to Entebbe - Dar es Salaam, Entebbe - Juba (South Sudan) routes coming into effect from 01MAY.

►► TANZANIA: Air Uganda planning for Entebbe - Kilimanjaro flights; launches "Crane Class" product.

[UPDATE 2 APRIL] Air Uganda (U7) has revealed that it is in the process of planning a new route from its hub in Entebbe to the Tanzanian tourist mecca of Kilimanjaro. Currently, the airline operates to the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam.

► UGANDA: Government in talks with Air Uganda over possible buy in as calls for establishment of national carrier grow louder.

The Ugandan Government has been holding talks with the Aga Khan Foundation, the 100% shareholder for Meridiana Africa Airlines (Uganda) Limited, better known as Air Uganda (U7), over a possible buy in to the carrier. Government's move comes as calls for the establishment of a new reliable national carrier to replace that of the defunct Uganda Airlines (QU), grow louder as biting global oil prices and a lack of domestic competition increasingly push the cost of Ugandan exports beyond being internationally competitive.

■ UGANDA: Air Uganda renews its IOSA certificate; launches new Premium Economy class product.

Celestair's Air Uganda (U7) has passed its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and has had its certificate renewed until 30 September 2013 according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website. The certificate was awarded to Meridiana Africa Airlines Uganda Ltd t/a Air Uganda.

● UGANDA: Golden Jubilee Airshow set for Entebbe from 15-16 December.

Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority, together with Air Uganda, Eagle Air and the Kampala Aeroclub amongst others, are working together to put on the Golden Jubilee Airshow to be held on the 15th and 16th of December 2012 at Entebbe International Airport. The airshow is being held on the occasion of Uganda's 50th Anniversary of Independence, gained from Britain in 1962.

 

► RWANDA: Air Uganda introduces extra Saturday flight to Kigali.

Air Uganda (U7) have announced an increase in their Entebbe, Uganda - Kigali, Rwanda flights effective immediately. The Bombardier CRJ-200ER operated flights will now fly daily with the addition of an extra Saturday frequency.

► UGANDA: Air Uganda to get rid of its last two MD87s.

In a move that will see it left with a fleet of two Bombardier CRJ-200s, Ugandan carrier Air Uganda (U7) has decided to retire its ageing fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD87s "later this year", according to Swiss aviation site CH-Aviation.

An Air Uganda McDonnell Douglas MD-87 at Entebbe

Having started out with three of the ex-Iberia aircraft, Air Uganda has subsequently retired 1 from the fleet leaving two which it uses, in addition to its two CRJ-200s, to focus on its regional network consisting of Bujumbura, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kigali, Juba, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar all served out of its Entebbe hub.

► UGANDA: Air Uganda ups frequencies to Kigali, Bujumbura, Mombasa; shows strong growth.

Ugandan national carrier, Air Uganda (U7), has announced an increase in flight frequencies between Kigali-Entebbe-Kigali to twice daily every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The other days will remain at once daily service according to their Facebook page. Bujumbura has moved from three flights to four times a week.

Entebbe-Mombasa-Entebbe will also see an increase in frequency to five times weekly from Tuesday to Friday and Sunday to cater for the growing demand on the route. Figures released show a substantial growth of 39% in passenger numbers on the route in the last quarter of this year, attributed to increased trade between Kenya and Uganda, with the Mombasa port being a key entry point for goods within the East Africa region.

Also in the pipeline is service to Kisumu, Kenya, which is still under consideration by the Kenyan authorities.