Uganda airlines dismisses claims of faulty aircraft

Uganda Airlines has dismissed claims that its two bombardier planes are faulty.

In the last couple of days, there have been several online allegations that the recently acquired planes were grounded and not operating.

“Uganda Airlines would like to clarify to the public that such is false and malicious information. The Two CRJ900 were under routine maintenance in accordance with the systems and regulations of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority,” the Airline management said in statement on Friday.

“Routine maintenance is mandatory and will be upheld as required to ensure maximum safety of our passengers and seamless operations of all our Aircraft.”

The management further assured its customers, stakeholders and the general public that the airline operations are happening as per earlier communicated schedule.

“Uganda Airlines promises more direct flights and convenient timings and will ensure On-time departures for our esteemed passengers and clients.”

Last month, Uganda Airlines successfully completed its maiden flight from Entebbe to Nairobi.

After a colourful ceremony of speeches and musical performances under glorious mid-morning sunshine, Flight UR202 took off from Entebbe International Airport at around 12:10pm and landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the Kenyan capital an hour later.

At JKIA, the plane was welcomed with a symbolic water salute.

The welcome ceremony was at Four Seasons, with Kenya’s Cabinet secretary for East African Community Adan Mohamed the chief guest.

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) managing director, also in attendance, said “we are proud that Uganda Airlines has joined our airline fraternity at JKIA. We  extend to you a warm welcome and wish you success at this airport”.

The first phase of the airline’s operations features flights to seven destinations, including Nairobi, Mogadishu (Somalia), Juba (South Sudan) and Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania).

In 2016, the government manifesto pledged to revive the airline “in order to reduce the cost of air transport and ease connectivity to and from Uganda”.

Two Bombardier planes were delivered in April this year for commercial operations, with the airline receiving an operator certificate on April 27.

The remaining two Bombardier aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of next month (September). The Airbuses, which will do the longer international routes, will be delivered next year.