KAMPALA, UGANDA: Uganda’s National Carrier, the Uganda Airlines will next month begin direct flights to Nigeria in a move to expand its coverage and maximise the available opportunities on the African aviation market.
The development was revealed by Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki, the Airlines Chief Executive Officer during the 18th AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market held in Lagos, Nigeria on Monday, October 31, 2022.
According to Ms Bamuturaki, the Airline flights from Entebbe to Lagos will commence before the end of December while flights to Abuja will begin in 2023.
“I am happy to tell you that we, the Uganda Airlines will begin our flights to Nigeria, for the first time in history starting December 2022. This will be our first flight to West Africa, we will begin that as we continue to grow slowly. When we come to Nigeria, we will be working through the recognised travel agents and tour operators,” she said.
Ms Bamuturaki who was one of the recipients of the top 100 African women in travel and tourism award appreciated Mr Ikechi Uko, the convener of AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market for recognising her effort in the travel space.
She was nominated in July 2022 alongside other 99 women from East and Southern Africa and emerged as the winner.
Ms Bamuturaki dedicated the award to Africa, the youth who are passionate about the industry and, most importantly, Ugandan women who never give up, pushing forward and striving against all odds.
“I feel so honoured because we are not many women in leadership in the aviation industry. So, to be recognised is a good thing. This is a win for women; this is a win for Uganda Airlines,” she said.
She further encouraged more women to aspire for leadership roles in the tourism and travel industries as she acknowledged how difficult the task could be in a male-dominated industry.
Bamuturaki, with over 15 years of experience in the aviation industry, said that the secret to running a successful airline was to have good managers overseeing various aspects that needed to be monitored.
She revealed that Uganda Airlines was also facing a problem of hiked aviation fuel prices, but this was managed efficiently by increasing sales of different travel and holiday packages. She also advised African airlines to invest in different forms of partnership to improve seamless travel across the continent.
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