Uganda Airlines charts recovery as CEO moves to restore fleet capacity
Wake, who took over leadership of the airline in February, said the airline has made steady progress in restoring operations after finding that three of its six aircraft had been grounded due to maintenance shortcomings.
Uganda Airlines Acting Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake during an interview with New Vision. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
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Uganda Airlines is on a recovery path after successfully returning grounded aircraft to service, with acting Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake expressing confidence that the national carrier is well positioned for future growth despite inheriting significant maintenance challenges.
Wake, who took over leadership of the airline in February, said the airline has made steady progress in restoring operations after finding that three of its six aircraft had been grounded due to maintenance shortcomings.
"It was a difficult time, but Uganda Airlines has a very promising future," Wake said during an interview with New Vision. "The country has enough traffic to support an airline. It has educated people who can be trained in different phases. That gives a lot of hope about the future of the airline."
According to Wake, one of the airline's Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft was grounded in November last year, while one of its two Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft was taken out of service in January. The second Airbus was also operating under severe technical limitations at the time.
By mid-February, three of Uganda Airlines’ six aircraft were out of operation, significantly reducing the carrier's capacity because the larger Airbus aircraft account for the bulk of its passenger and cargo operations.
Wake, an aviation veteran who previously led Ethiopian Airlines through a period of rapid expansion, said his immediate priority has been restoring operational reliability and rebuilding confidence in the national carrier.
His appointment by President Yoweri Museveni in February came as Uganda Airlines sought to strengthen its management and improve operational performance following a period marked by flight disruptions and mounting financial losses.
Wake brings decades of aviation leadership experience, having served as chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011, where he helped transform it into one of Africa's leading carriers. He has also chaired the boards of both Ethiopian Airlines Group and RwandAir.
He cited Uganda's growing tourism industry, expanding agricultural exports and strategic location in the region as key advantages that can support a stronger national airline.
"The potential for the airline is good," he said.
Industry observers have long argued that a reliable national carrier can play a critical role in boosting tourism, facilitating trade and improving Uganda's connectivity to regional and international markets.
As Uganda Airlines works to strengthen fleet availability and improve operational efficiency, the focus is expected to shift towards restoring customer confidence and positioning the airline for sustainable growth.
Wake said the airline's recent challenges should be viewed as an opportunity to establish stronger maintenance systems and operational discipline that will support its long-term success.