Uganda Airlines Faces Festive Season Crisis with Aircraft Grounded in Lagos
National Carrier Confirms Severe Operational Disruptions Amid Fleet Shortages
ENTEBBE, Uganda – Uganda Airlines is grappling with a severe operational crisis during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with its Chief Executive Officer, Jenifer Bamuturaki, confirming the grounding of two aircraft has led to mass cancellations, extensive delays, and scenes of chaos at Entebbe International Airport.
The disruptions, which escalated over the past weekend, are attributed to a critical shortage in the fleet, most notably the grounding of one of the airline’s two flagship Airbus A330neo wide-body planes in Lagos, Nigeria.
✈️ The Core of the Crisis: A Reduced Fleet
CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki explained that the airline’s operations have been severely hamstrung. “We have had quite a bit of disruption with cancellations and delays and these have been caused by the fact that we are two aircraft less,” she stated.
The grounded aircraft include:
· One Airbus A330neo, the aircraft type used for key long-haul routes, currently stuck in Lagos with a technical fault.
· One CRJ regional jet, also out of service.
This shortage leaves the airline operating with only five of its seven aircraft, including one wet-leased plane. Bamuturaki described this deficit as having a damaging “knock-on effect” across the airline’s entire network.
🗺️ Ripple Effects and Compounding Problems
The loss of two aircraft has forced the airline into drastic schedule adjustments:
· Combining scheduled flights to accommodate passengers.
· Implementing extensive delays, sometimes causing flights to arrive after their destination airports have closed for the night due to unexpected Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
The absence of the A330 in Lagos is particularly crippling for the airline’s intercontinental operations, limiting its capacity on crucial routes.
Bamuturaki also addressed public rumors, clarifying a point of confusion: “There was a bit of confusion among the public that we have an aircraft that is stuck in London as well but that isn’t true; as we speak it should be landing within one hour from London.”
😓 Passenger Impact During Peak Travel
The timing of the crisis has magnified its impact, striking during the busy festive travel season. Over the weekend, Entebbe International Airport witnessed scenes of passenger distress and chaos as travelers faced sudden cancellations and uncertain delays, disrupting holiday and family plans.
🔧 Path to Resolution
The airline’s management is actively working to resolve the situation. A primary focus is the grounded A330 in Lagos. Bamuturaki confirmed that the airline is “actively working with the manufacturer to source the necessary parts” to repair and return the aircraft to service.
The statement from Uganda Airlines highlights the fragile operational challenges facing national carriers, where the technical failure of a single aircraft can cascade into a network-wide crisis, especially during high-demand travel periods. The coming days will be critical as the airline works to recover its schedule and restore passenger confidence.
About The Author
