The way the NRM
Government handles official Government business is most unfortunate.
Not long ago, we
were told that VULE Airways a privately owned Ugandan registered airline, whose
objective was to fill the vacuum in the Ugandan air transport sector created by
lack of a national airline that serves both domestic and international passenger
and cargo services.
We now hear that
Uganda Airlines has signed shs 700bn firm order for 4 Bombardier CRJ900
Aircraft.
With the experience
of the number of airlines Uganda Government has been in partnership with since
the collapse of Uganda Airlines, the evolution of a new airline should not be a
gamble.
We are aware that
the Government has clear financial obligations to meet. Under such circumstances, how can we expect a
viable, efficient and safe airline to be operated?
There is no
involvement we hear from the Parliament.
It is not clear where these deals are made, a situation which not only
gives corruption chance, but also possible loss of tax payer resources through half-baked-deals.
The airline we are
not sure whether it will recover routes that were given to other
operators. What about the ground
handling services?
The revival of
Uganda Airlines should be openly debated. There is no reason why there should
be political dominance on its evolution as other Government players are left
out.
UGANDA AIRLINES
SIGNS SHS 700BN FIRM ORDER FOR 4 BOMBARDIER CRJ900 AIRCRAFT
By Sam Waswa.
Canadian based plane manufactures
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced Wednesday that it has signed a firm
order for four new CRJ900 regional jets with Uganda National Airlines Company.
Based on the list price for the
CRJ900 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$190
million (Shs 711Billion)
“We congratulate the Government of
Uganda for the revival of its national flag carrier, and are thrilled that the
new airline has selected Bombardier and the CRJ900 regional jets for its
upcoming debut,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle-East
and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“Recognized for its superior economics and efficiency, the CRJ
Series aircraft have enabled airlines worldwide to serve communities with
better connectivity, and we look forward to supporting the development of
Uganda’s regional air travel with these CRJ900 regional jets.”
Uganda Airlines is expected to operate the CRJ900 in dual-class
configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats.
Speaking at the deal signing, Ephraim
Bagenda, CEO, Uganda Airlines said, “We are delighted to have ordered the
world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern
passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across
Africa,”
“As we were establishing Entebbe as a
strong hub in East Africa and building more connectivity in Africa, we
thoroughly reviewed our needs. With its proven track record in Africa and other
regions of the world, we are confident that the CRJ900 aircraft will help us
succeed.”
Key features of the new interior are
comprised of larger passenger living space, wheel-first roller bag capability,
more spacious lavatory, increased cabin connectivity options, all integrated in
a contemporary design and material choices.
The ATMOSPHÈRE cabin design according to
Bombardier, allows passengers to carry and store an “oversized” roller bag
within the aircraft cabin bins which minimizes the need to check bags at the
counter or the gate.
Canadian based plane manufactures
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced Wednesday that it has signed a firm
order for four new CRJ900 regional jets with Uganda National Airlines Company.
Based on the list price for the
CRJ900 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$190
million (Shs 711Billion)
“We congratulate the Government of
Uganda for the revival of its national flag carrier, and are thrilled that the
new airline has selected Bombardier and the CRJ900 regional jets for its
upcoming debut,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle-East
and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“Recognized for its superior economics and
efficiency, the CRJ Series aircraft have enabled airlines worldwide to serve
communities with better connectivity, and we look forward to supporting the
development of Uganda’s regional air travel with these CRJ900 regional jets.”
The firm order is valued at
approximately US$190 million or 700Billion Shillings
Uganda Airlines is expected to
operate the CRJ900 in dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12
first class seats.
Speaking at the deal signing, Ephraim
Bagenda, CEO, Uganda Airlines said, “We are delighted to have ordered the
world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern
passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across
Africa,”
“As we were establishing Entebbe as a
strong hub in East Africa and building more connectivity in Africa, we
thoroughly reviewed our needs. With its proven track record in Africa and other
regions of the world, we are confident that the CRJ900 aircraft will help us
succeed.”
Viable?
Uganda Airlines which was established
under President Idi Amin in 1977 was liquidated in 2001 after government failed
to get private investors to revamp it.
Air Uganda, a private company
attempted to fill the shoes as the national carrier but was also grounded in
2014 after CAA revoked its operating Licence.
President Museveni in June 2017
ordered for the revival of the airline, describing the lack of it as a big
shame.
The President said that once revived,
the Uganda Airlines will succeed mainly because of the direct travel
opportunities that it will offer its Ugandans in the diaspora, business
community, tourists and the vast domestic travel opportunities.
He explained the Ugandans in the
diaspora especially in South Africa, Canada and United State of America and
Indians who were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in the United Kingdom are
inconvenienced by other airlines that must pass through their Capitals but once
Uganda Airlines is revived they will benefit from direct travel.
“Uganda has a captive travelling
population. Many people want a flying schedule that suits them and yet most of
the airlines look at nationalism and must first pass through their countries of
origin,” he said.
The interim Board and Management have
been appointed to run the national carrier.
The East Africa Civil Aviation
Academy (EACAA) - Soroti is being revamped and undergoing certification process
to become a center of aviation excellence in the region.
The Academy has since recruited
technical staff: Director; Quality Manager; Safety Manager; Chief Engineering
Instructor; Flying instructors, Ground instructors, Engineering instructors and
Flight Operations Instructors.
The school also boasts of 9 new
state-of-art training aircrafts and has completed training of 30 students: 9 cadet
pilots, 7 aircraft maintenance engineers and 14 flight operations officers.
Training of 15 pilots, 15 Flight
operators, and 5 aircraft engineers is expected to be concluded by end of this
year.
The Works Ministry also intends to
develop and upgrade Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Kasese and Soroti airfields. Their
aerodromes have been prepared and are awaiting financing.
Experts have since cautioned against
viability of the national airline amid tight competition from established
regional and international carriers.
But Museveni is optimistic the
airline will promote Uganda’s tourism and ease movement of travelers.
He said once the airline is revived,
Ugandan tourist sites will be well marketed to the world in a way that no
country would compete with Uganda.
“In terms of tourism, no country can
compete with Uganda if we have an airline and promote our nice weather,
wildlife and the other tourist attractions,” he said.
President Museveni further said
Uganda airline will survive once revived because there are many industries
developing in the country that will use the airline to export their products.
He said this would increase the
number of exports and reduce of imports thus earning Uganda foreign revenue.
He also explained there were many
Ugandans traveling and exporting cargo to Bunya in Democratic Republic of
Congo, Juba in South Sudan, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Lagos in Nigeria and the
airline would make their travel and business faster and more direct.
VULE AIRWAYS is a privately-owned Ugandan registered airline,
whose objective is to fill the vacuum in the Ugandan air transport sector
created by the lack of a national airline that serves both domestic and
international passenger and cargo services. VULE AIRWAYS will provide
employment opportunities to the aviation fraternity, especially youth in
Uganda, and as well as generate revenue for the government through the Civil
Aviation Authority dues paid for the licensing and inspection of the
enterprise, personnel and aircrafts, air navigation services, aerodrome
operations (parking, landing, lighting, office rent, passenger service charge
and security charge), and also taxes like VAT, PAYE to Uganda Revenue Authority
among others.
The airline is expected to form
partnerships with thriving regional and international airlines in order to
provide quality air transport services, training of aviators, and development
of the aerospace industry. Only through intrigue-free business co-operation
within the airline industry, can a successful airline be established and
thrive.
The establishment of VULE AIRWAYS is
meant to change the mindset deeply rooted in the travelling public of the East
African region that no Ugandan managed airline can thrive in the air transport
industry.
To accomplish and achieve this goal,
Ugandan youth must be encouraged to love, be involved in aviation and thus,
educated and empowered with skills that promote and support the aviation
industry. In the interim while the local capacity is being built, VULE AIRWAYS
shall make use of the existing aviation expertise in the region and also
through both wet and damp lease Agreements. Over time, as the local
indigenous aviators master the skills, VULE AIRWAYS will professionally phase
out the veteran aviation experts.
The look of the new Uganda Airlines Bombardier aircraft which are expected to take to the skies as early as next year
The firm order is valued at approximately US$190 million or 700Billion Shillings
The inside