Overview:
Only December 2024, with its holiday rush, saw higher numbers, cementing January 2025 as the second-busiest month in Entebbe’s history.
Entebbe International Airport buzzed with activity in January 2025, registering a remarkable 216,740 international passengers, a significant leap from the 194,563 recorded in the same period last year, statistics by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) indicate.
This figure, comprised of 105,320 arrivals and 111,420 departures, translates to an average of 6,991 passengers traversing the airport daily. Only December 2024, with its holiday rush, saw higher numbers, cementing January 2025 as the second-busiest month in Entebbe’s history.
According to UCAA, the surge in passenger traffic can be attributed to a confluence of factors. Uganda’s burgeoning tourism sector continues to attract visitors from across the globe. Hosting prestigious international events, such as the African Union Extraordinary Summit, which drew 977 delegates, also played a crucial role. The continued expansion of Uganda Airlines’ route network, coupled with the arrival of new carriers like Kush Air and Premier Airlines, offering flights to destinations like Juba, further contributed to the increased flow of travelers, said Vianney Luggya, the UCAA spokesman.
“This January’s performance is a testament to the ongoing efforts to position Entebbe as a regional hub,” said Luggya. “The increase in passenger numbers reflects not only the growing confidence in Uganda as a destination but also the improved connectivity facilitated by our national carrier and new entrants into the market,” he added.
The January 2025 numbers follow a strong overall performance in 2024, during which Entebbe handled a total of 2,243,104 international passengers, a substantial increase from the 1,932,094 recorded in 2023. This upward trend underscores the airport’s growing importance in the region.
Beyond passenger traffic, Entebbe also witnessed a surge in cargo operations. 1 January 2025 saw 3,491 metric tonnes of exports and 1,578 metric tonnes of imports, totaling 5,069 metric tonnes. This contributes to the impressive growth in cargo volume, with 67,731 metric tonnes handled in 2024 compared to 59,073 metric tonnes the previous year. The airport’s strategic role in facilitating trade and commerce is becoming increasingly evident.