Uganda Airlines has signed a short-term lease agreement for an Airbus A320, with an airline based in Karmelava, Lithuania.
This will help Uganda Airlines to enhance its operational efficiency for the upcoming winter schedule.
“ We are delighted to announce this partnership with DAT Lithuanian Airlines, which will support our operations with the previously leased aircraft. “ Uganda Airlines, Chief Executive Officer, Jenifer Bamuturaki said.
UGANDA AIRLINES WET-LEASES A320
Uganda Airlines had been operating an Airbus A320, leased from Johannesburg-based Global Airways.
The airline returned the aging aircraft to Global Airways at the end of October 2024.
The newer nine-year-old Airbus A320 is a mid-range aircraft, which will be deployed on several routes in Ugandan’s route network.
This aircraft has 156 seats across two classes. The cabin is configured with 12 business class seats and 144 economy seats.
Pulse Ug reports that the aircraft has been obtained on a wet lease, so it comes with pilots and cabin crew.
UGANDA AIRLINES FLEET
The leased aircraft will supplement Ugandan’s existing fleet comprising four CRJ900LR and two Airbus A330-800 aircraft.
Therefore, it will support Uganda Airlines in maintaining schedule integrity when part of its regional fleet undergoes periodic maintenance.
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DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBUS A320
The aircraft will also help Uganda Airlines resolve operational challenges.
The airline experienced these this year on routes like Johannesburg and Kinshasa, where Uganda Airlines has been unable to operate efficiently due to capacity limitations.
“We have seen significant growth in demand across our network. With the new lease, we shall continue to increase capacity deployment for the number of seats on specific routes to sustain this demand, leasing this A320 is intended to cushion the operation, especially in the festive season. As travel tends to spike due to leisure and business travel, we also look forward to enhanced cargo freighting for our customers,” Bamuturaki said.
Furthermore, the wet-leased aircraft will also be used to augment operations on routes to Nairobi, Lagos and Abuja.
The airline is also hoping to launch flights to London Gatwick early next year. Existing long-haul routes include Dubai and Mumbai.
Uganda Airlines is Uganda’s flagship national passenger and cargo carrier, which started in 2019.
It provides scheduled air transportation services in Africa and international markets.
