Uganda Airlines brings new opportunities — London Gatwick

LONDON - London Gatwick says the launch of Uganda Airlines flights to and from Entebbe International Airport brings new opportunities for both Uganda and the UK.

The development comes after Uganda Airlines started flying between Gatwick and Entebbe on Sunday, May 19, 2025. The flag carrier is expected to fly the route four times every week.

The service being delivered through the state-of-the-art Airbus A330-800neo and offering convenient connections for business and leisure travellers, is the only direct connection between the UK and Uganda.

London Gatwick, which is the UK’s second-largest airport and one of Europe’s top ten airports, connects directly to 16 African destinations.

According to Gatwick, the new route is its strategy to develop routes across Africa, ‘following the arrival of Ethiopian Airlines in November 2023, and shows the airport's commitment to expanding its reach into high-growth markets. The flight times will also provide seamless onward connections to 14 destinations throughout sub-Sharan Africa’.
 

Launch of Uganda Airlines flights to and from Entebbe International Airport brings new opportunities for both Uganda and the UK. (Courtesy Photos)

“The direct link to Entebbe is expected to boost trade, tourism and investment between the UK and Uganda. In 2024, total UK trade with Uganda was valued at £606m (about shillings 2.9 trillion), with UK exports to Uganda totalling £483m (about shillings 2.3 trillion). With more than 200,000 Ugandans residing in the UK, the new service is poised to meet the growing demand for direct travel options, fostering closer ties between the two nations,” the airpot management said in a statement issued a day after the airlines’ inaugural flight to Gatwick.

London Gatwick chief commercial officer Jonathan Pollard said: "We are delighted to welcome Uganda Airlines to London Gatwick. This new route not only strengthens our position as a key gateway to Africa but also supports our vision of fostering economic growth and connectivity, particularly among new markets across Africa, Asia and the Middle East”. 

“As the airport continues to grow, we are excited about the opportunities this new connection will bring, further supporting the regional economy alongside leisure travellers across the South East.”

Expansion strategy

Uganda Airlines CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki said: “This new London route marks a major milestone in Uganda Airlines’ expansion strategy and reinforces our mission to connect Uganda to the world. 

“We are thrilled to offer UK travellers a direct, convenient path to the Pearl of Africa where they can experience unrivalled wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and warm Ugandan hospitality. We invite the world to come and discover the magic of our country.”