Business
Uganda Airlines opens new routes to Accra, Kigali
“We are making five times a week to Lagos. It is an extension of that to Ghana, just one additional hour, but it builds up gradually because Ghana can support a flight on its own and Nigeria can support a flight on its own. We build it together until we get the natural volumes,” Wake said.
Officials say the new routes will deepen trade, tourism and investment links between Uganda and West Africa while strengthening its regional feeder network.
By: Ali Twaha, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - Uganda Airlines has launched new routes to Accra, Ghana, and Kigali, Rwanda, starting on October 27 and November 18, respectively.
Officials say the new routes will deepen trade, tourism and investment links between Uganda and West Africa while strengthening its regional feeder network.
Speaking at the launch at Sheraton Hotel on August 5, Girma Wake, the acting Uganda Airlines CEO, said the Accra route builds on cultural and economic ties between the two countries and positions the airline to tap into trade currently flowing through South Africa.
“The two countries have a lot in common. A lot of families have connections. It is a natural place for us to go,” Wake said.
“The two countries have a lot in common. A lot of families have connections. It is a natural place for us to go,” Wake said.
He said that Ghana produces goods Uganda needs while offering a market for Ugandan exports. Wake said Ghana’s trade relationship with South Africa, including South African firms that run the Obuasi gold mine, gives Uganda Airlines an opening to compete on connecting time.
“Ghana trades a lot with South Africa. It will be the shortest route except for the direct flight of South African Airways, so it will be a very good route to connect South Africa to Ghana,” Wake said.
The airline plans to fly to Accra as an extension of its five times a week service to Lagos, Nigeria, a route it says is just over an hour from Accra by air.
“We are making five times a week to Lagos. It is an extension of that to Ghana, just one additional hour, but it builds up gradually because Ghana can support a flight on its own and Nigeria can support a flight on its own. We build it together until we get the natural volumes,” Wake said.
“Ghana trades a lot with South Africa. It will be the shortest route except for the direct flight of South African Airways, so it will be a very good route to connect South Africa to Ghana,” Wake said.
The airline plans to fly to Accra as an extension of its five times a week service to Lagos, Nigeria, a route it says is just over an hour from Accra by air.
“We are making five times a week to Lagos. It is an extension of that to Ghana, just one additional hour, but it builds up gradually because Ghana can support a flight on its own and Nigeria can support a flight on its own. We build it together until we get the natural volumes,” Wake said.