Uganda Airlines has announced the partial restoration of its flight schedule following a week of operational setbacks that disrupted long-haul routes and inconvenienced travellers.
The national carrier, which operates two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft on intercontinental routes, confirmed that flights to London Gatwick, Dubai, and Mumbai were the most affected. Sources revealed that limited fleet capacity and maintenance requirements compounded the challenges, leaving the airline with little flexibility when technical issues arose.
In a statement issued late last week, management acknowledged the disruptions and assured passengers that services were being gradually reinstated. Travel partners were notified of revised flight options, with priority given to passengers whose journeys had been postponed.
While the long-haul network bore the brunt of the setbacks, most of the airline’s regional services, operated by Bombardier CRJ-900 jets across 17 African destinations, continued largely unaffected. This offered some relief to the carrier, as regional connectivity accounts for the bulk of its passenger traffic.
Aviation analysts point out that the situation highlights the fragility of Uganda Airlines’ expansion strategy, which relies heavily on a thin fleet of just two wide-body aircraft. The rarity of the A330-800neo model also makes access to spare parts and specialist maintenance more complex and time-consuming.
Industry observers note that the disruptions come at a critical time for the airline, which is under pressure to prove both reliability and profitability as it eyes further route expansion and fleet investment under the government’s 2025/26 budget allocations.
For now, passengers can expect a phased return to full operations, with Uganda Airlines promising clearer communication and improved schedule stability in the coming weeks.