Entebbe International Airport to receive five new international airlines

Tom Wasswa, the CAA manager marketing said the airport will soon witness the arrival of Air Arabia, Air Moroc, Airberia, Air Europa and Air China.

“Of course efforts to revive Uganda Airlines are already awaiting a final cabinet decision. But already five airlines have showed interest in flying in passengers into Entebbe Airport,” said  Wasswa.”

Daniel Kiyimba a CAA Civil Engineer in Charge of Airport Development programme said: “Entebbe Airport upgrade and expansion will cost $200m. Africa has experienced air traffic growth in terms of passenger, cargo and aircraft movement. Passenger traffic is expected to grow at 12.6% growth rate from 1.4m passengers in 2014 to 6.1million passengers in 2033 per year.”

Kiyimba said the upgrade and expansion plans are necessary because they anticipate handling 172000 tonnes of cargo per year from the currently handled 55,000 tonnes.

“Main runway 17/35 will be resurfaced and will have a full strength parallel taxiway and new lighting. A new cargo terminal with its taxiways and Apron will be constructed and the rehabilitation of the secondary runway 12/30,” said Kiyimba.

Apron 2 serving VVIP will be strengthened with a new terminal building adjacent to and connected to the old building to handle 3.3 million passengers by 2023.