Cargo flights to fall over COVID-19 

TRAFFIC |  COVID-19

Air traffic cargo from Entebbe Airport to Europe and other countries in the world has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although cargo traffic at the airport slightly increased from 62,093 tonnes in FY 2017/18 to 62,127 tonnes in 2018/19 against the target of 64,352 tonnes, there is likely to be a significant reduction following the pandemic.

The director-general of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Dr. David Kakuba, told the New Vision last week that there was a visible reduction in the volume of exports through Entebbe Airport.

Kakuba said the cargo planes are allowed to bring in goods, but only a certain number of crew are allowed in.

"Countries such as Italy are under lockdown, so the export businesses are impacted," Kakuba said.

He added that emergency flights are allowed to bring in cargo and that organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) can charter flights to bring in equipment.

CAA public affairs manager Vianney Luggya said the impact of the pandemic is likely to affect not only the exports but also imports.

He said some airlines carry cargo as belly cargo on passenger flights.

"At the moment it is only the freighters (cargo planes) that will be allowed in and out.

The major carriers which operate freighter services include Qatar Cargo, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines (ad hoc), Kenya Airways (ad hoc) and Allied Air (AJK). South African Airlines has also been handling some cargo in the East African region," Luggya said.

According to the works and transport minister, Joint Sector Review Report of 2019/20, exports by air missed the target by 20.1% due to high market competition, with fresh produce coming in from the far east countries, such as Philippines and Indonesia that have flooded UAE market with improved quality of products.

The report said imports continued to fall due to the suspension of World Food Programme operations in West Nile and eastern Uganda in the provision of relief to the affected communities.

An official from Fresh Handling Limited, which specialises in handling exports of cut flowers and horticultural products from Uganda, said they had closed office temporarily. "We are not working," said the official.

Another official from Entebbe Handling Services (Enhas) said the offices had closed and staff had gone on leave.

Enhas specialises in the handling of passengers, aircraft cabin cleaning, check-in passenger baggage and helps with immigration and security procedures.

Companies dealing in fish exports and cut flowers said they have been impacted by the COVID-19, bringing their businesses to a standstill.

Entebbe Airport is the main international entry/exit point for Uganda.

The airport is undergoing expansion to take advantage of increasing passengers and cargo traffic.

Uganda Airlines was also revived to enhance the country's competitiveness by reducing the cost of air transport and increasing connectivity to and from Uganda and to fulfill the requirement of establishing air transport infrastructure to meet the growing demand for air transport for both passengers and cargo.

According to the works and transport ministry, the Government attaches a lot of importance to the aviation sub-sector because it guarantees the country direct international access.