It was a beehive of activity at the Al Maktoum International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday as the Dubai Airshow opened for countries and companies to showcase the latest technology in aerospace.

Key among players showcasing modern technology both for commercial, private and military aircraft were Boeing and Airbus with the latter displaying the recently acquired A330neo by Uganda Airlines.

Flight Captain Sam Masaba explained to New Vision at the airshow that the A330neo had an advantage over other aircraft because there is lesser noise inside the plane as a result of the new engine option (neo).

Masaba said the A330neo’s fuel consumption was also low compared to other aircraft.

“Our aircraft can fly higher than others, meaning there is less thick air, hence low fuel consumption,” Masaba said.

Masaba, a proud product of Soroti Flying School, also said Uganda Airline’s latest acquisition was one of the few powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000s.

"The Neo offers every nice spacious interior with very good legroom! It can also take cargo of up to 37T in the cargo hold. The cargo holds are air-conditioned good for perishables as well," he added.

Masaba also said: "It also has plenty of safety features and very silent efficient engines! It can fly entebbe to guangzhou non-stop."

Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Musiime Bamuturaki and Eng Ephraim Bagenda, the director of Engineering and Maintenance led the East African country’s delegation.

Earlier, Rahim Shakila Lamar, the airline’s Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Manager, described the A330-800neo fleet as the true symbol of Uganda's culture. 

“The Dubai Air show is our opportunity to share our commitment to clean flying with a long-term initiative of flying green and reducing our carbon footprint in the Aviation Industry, as depicted through the improved efficiency of our A330neo fleet,” she said. 

The organisers have promised that the airshow will be an “unforgettable experience for the global aerospace community. 

“Packed with everything you would expect to see at a global airshow and more, this year’s edition features exhibitors from 20+ country pavilions along with a stunning aircraft display of over 160 commercial, military, and private jets including the latest Boeing 777x, Bombardier’s Global 7500 and many more,” the organisers said. 

At the show, Uganda Airlines is expected to sign a Flight Hour Services (FHS) agreement with Airbus that will ensure on-site engineering, repairs and timely spare parts availability. 

“In partnership with Airbus, Uganda Airlines is thrilled to be a part of this event and will further fortify it by signing a Flight Hour Services (FHS) agreement for after-sales support and training that will run for 5 years. Our A330-800neo fleet has secured its technical performance, safety, and integrated services like on-site engineering, repairs, and timely spare parts availability through this contract,” Lamar told New Vision. 

The Airshow comes at the time Uganda is taking part in the Dubai Expo where various products from the East African country are being displayed. 

Recently Uganda Airlines said high traffic flow had compelled them to add an extra weekly flight to Dubai as it also continues to engage authorities in China over direct flights to Guangzhou.  

Bamuturaki told New Vision then that so many passengers were travelling from Entebbe to Dubai, hence the need for another flight.  

Previously, the airline was having three weekly flights but the number will increase by one more.  

“We want to serve the business community well. They will now be able to travel to Dubai on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays,” Musiime said.  

The airline’s CEO said they were still engaging authorities in China to ensure that flights there start soon.  

“With the help of the Ugandan Embassy in Beijing, we are still negotiating with the Chinese authorities to ensure we start flights there as soon as possible,” she said.  

 In August, Uganda Airlines announced that it had secured an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to operate long-haul flights.  

The national carrier said then its A330-800 neo aircraft were prepared to make flights to Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Among the planned flights are those to London, Mumbai and Guangzhou.  

The airline launched flights to the United Arab Emirates on October 9, the foreign affairs ministry announcing then that, “The Uganda Airlines flights have registered tremendous success in passenger and cargo traffic. The flights will serve as a boost for Trade, Tourism and Investments.”  

Uganda Airlines boasts of two Airbus A330neo aircraft and four Bombardier CRJ900 passenger jets from the Canadian Bombardier Aerospace.