Ugandaโs aviation industry is demonstrating strong signs of continued growth, with 10 new companies applying for licences to operate international air services.
During its 53rd Air Services Licensing Committee meeting in Kampala, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reviewed 15 air service licence applications, comprising 10 new entrants and five licence renewal requests.
According to aviation officials, the growing number of applications reflects increasing investor confidence in Ugandaโs aviation market and optimism about rising demand for both passenger and cargo air transport services.
The licensing process plays a critical role in ensuring aviation safety and reliability. Before commencing commercial operations, airlines must obtain regulatory approval by proving they possess the financial capacity, technical expertise, and operational standards necessary to provide safe and efficient services. The public hearing process also gives stakeholders an opportunity to scrutinise applications before licences are issued.
โThis licensing exercise remains a statutory requirement that ensures transparency, public participation, and accountability in the approval of air service operations,โ said Deputy Director General Olive Lumonya.
The applications span a variety of aviation services, including scheduled passenger flights, charter services, cargo transportation, flight training, and private aviation operations.
Among the companies seeking approval are Cubic Air SMC Limited, Misk Air Limited, Premier Airlines Limited, Ubuntu Air Limited, and Asante Aviation Limited. Meanwhile, established operators such as Eagle Air, AIM Air, and Transafrik Uganda have applied for licence renewals.
The increased interest in the sector comes amid challenges facing the aviation industry. Lumonya noted that concerns surrounding Ebola have led several international airlines to suspend or reduce services to Uganda, negatively impacting passenger traffic and airport revenues.
She identified KLM, Fly Dubai, and Saudi Air among the carriers that cancelled flights, while Emirates introduced travel restrictions requiring passengers not to have stayed in Uganda within 21 days prior to travel.
โWe are seeing, or we are facing, a situation where several aircraft have cancelled their flights,โ Lumonya said. She added that Emirates had reduced its schedule from five weekly flights to three and was mainly transporting transit passengers.
The reduction in flight operations has had financial implications for Entebbe International Airport, which depends heavily on passenger traffic for revenue generation.
โWhen you look at the airport, it survives on traffic, the passengers coming in and going out. So, when we have aircraft that are no longer coming inโฆ it is already affecting our financial situation at the airport,โ Lumonya explained.
Despite the current challenges, the CAA remains optimistic that conditions will improve. Government and health authorities are actively engaging airlines to reassure them about measures being implemented to manage the Ebola outbreak and rebuild confidence in Uganda as a safe travel destination.
โWe believe that situation will be improved; it will change. I think there is a lot of effort by the government that is being done,โ Lumonya said.
She further revealed that officials plan to meet airline country directors alongside the Minister of Health to provide updates on the country’s Ebola response efforts.
Overall, the growing number of licence applications signals that Ugandaโs long-term aviation ambitions remain firmly on course, despite short-term operational challenges.
