Uganda Airlines expands fleet with leased Boeing aircraft

ENTEBBE. Uganda Airlines has added the first of two leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its fleet as the national carrier moves to address mounting pressure on its regional network and improve schedule reliability.

The aircraft, registered ET-APL, arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Tuesday painted in Uganda Airlines colours, marking a significant expansion of the airline’s narrow-body operations.

The move comes amid growing passenger complaints over delays, flight disruptions and limited seat availability on some of the airline’s busiest regional routes.

For several years, Uganda Airlines has operated with a notable capacity imbalance. Its 76-seat Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft have struggled to meet demand on high-traffic regional routes, while the larger 258-seat Airbus A330-800neo fleet is primarily configured for long-haul operations and is considered less economical for shorter regional sectors.

The newly acquired Boeing 737-800, which seats about 160 passengers, is expected to bridge that gap by providing additional capacity and operational flexibility across the regional network.

Airline officials said the aircraft will immediately be deployed on key routes including Nairobi, Johannesburg and Lagos, where passenger demand and cargo volumes have continued to grow.

The acquisition is being implemented through a wet-lease arrangement with Ethiopian Airlines under an ACMI agreement, in which the lessor provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance.

Industry observers say the deal reflects the growing influence of veteran aviation executive Ato Girma Wake, who was appointed acting chief executive officer of Uganda Airlines in February.

Wake, widely credited with transforming Ethiopian Airlines into one of Africa’s leading carriers, is expected to steer Uganda Airlines through a period of operational restructuring and fleet stabilisation.

“This addition strengthens our operations and enhances flexibility,” the airline said in a statement. “The Boeing 737-800 will allow us to stabilise our schedule and provide the capacity required on high-demand routes.”

Regional aviation analyst Wolfgang H. Thome said the decision to operate the aircraft in Uganda Airlines branding suggested a more integrated medium-term strategy rather than a short-term emergency lease.

“Unlike previous short-term leasing arrangements, the aircraft appearing in Uganda Airlines livery points to a more structured operational approach,” Thome noted.

However, aviation industry insiders caution that the wet-lease arrangement is primarily a temporary solution aimed at addressing immediate operational pressures. Analysts say the airline’s longer-term objective remains acquiring or dry-leasing its own narrow-body aircraft to lower operating costs and improve fleet independence.

A second Boeing 737-800 is expected to arrive in the coming weeks as part of the airline’s broader regional recovery strategy.

The additional aircraft are expected to strengthen network reliability through the end of 2026 while government and airline officials work toward a longer-term fleet expansion plan for the national carrier.