Govt permits SAA to fly Alliance routes

Nov 15, 2000

THE Government has given South African Airways (SAA) a go-ahead to operate flights at Entebbe Airport thrice a week, works minister, Eng. John Nasasira said over the weekend, reports Simon Kaheru.

THE Government has given South African Airways (SAA) a go-ahead to operate flights at Entebbe Airport thrice a week, works minister, Eng. John Nasasira said over the weekend, reports Simon Kaheru. SAA is to begin flights on the Johannesburg-Entebbe route in the first week of December, replacing regional carrier SA Alliance Air. "We have a bilateral air services agreement with South Africa under which each country nominates an airline to operate three flights a week at the other's airport. "South Africa has nominated SAA and we have accepted," Nasasira said. Uganda has not yet nominated an airline to operate out of the Jan Smuts Airport in Johannesburg, but Nasasira said the Government was "organising to start flights." He declined to give details. SAA's entry follows the collapse of Alliance Air operations early October, and ongoing efforts by private firms in Uganda and Tanzania to resume the airline's operations before December 1. SAA holding company, Transnet, held 40% shares in SA Alliance Air, with Uganda and Tanzania holding 30% each. Sources say Dairo Air Services of Uganda and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture were now negotiating with their governments on taking over their 60% shareholding in the airline. Ends.

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