Uganda Airlines has unveiled plans to expand its aircraft fleet and reinforce staffing levels in a bid to stabilise operations and curb persistent flight delays that have disrupted passengers on both regional and long haul routes.
The national carrier says its recent performance challenges are largely the result of operating a small and tightly stretched fleet, which offers limited room to manoeuvre when aircraft are due for maintenance or encounter unexpected technical issues. With little spare capacity even short disruptions have tended to cascade into wider schedule delays.
Uganda Airlines operates a modest mix of Airbus aircraft and regional jets, a structure that management acknowledges has become increasingly difficult to sustain as demand grows. The situation has been compounded by the grounding of one aircraft abroad for repairs, further tightening capacity and increasing pressure on the remaining planes.
Airline officials say restoring grounded aircraft and adding new ones to the fleet will be critical steps toward improving reliability and ensuring schedules can withstand routine operational shocks.
In parallel with fleet growth, the airline plans to recruit additional pilots, cabin crew and technical personnel to improve operational flexibility. Management says bolstering crew numbers will help address constraints linked to duty-time regulations and reduce fatigue related scheduling challenges.
Board Chairperson Priscilla Mirembe Serukka has said the combined approach of expanding both aircraft and crew capacity is aimed at easing operational strain while rebuilding passenger confidence, noting that delays not only inconvenience travellers but also drive up costs for the airline.
The expansion strategy aligns with ongoing government discussions around additional funding to support aircraft acquisition and long term growth of the national carrier. Transport sector officials have previously indicated that increasing fleet size is essential if Uganda Airlines is to maintain reliability while gradually expanding its route network.
Since its relaunch in 2019, Uganda Airlines has steadily grown its footprint across the region and beyond. However, fleet growth has not kept pace with rising demand, particularly on international routes making schedule stability an increasing challenge.
By investing in more aircraft and a stronger workforce, Uganda Airlines says it is seeking to reset its operations, reduce delays and deliver a more predictable travel experience. Management believes the measures will strengthen the airline’s resilience and position it for sustainable expansion.
If implemented as planned, the changes could mark a turning point for the carrier as it works to balance ambitious growth plans with the practical demands of dependable service delivery.