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Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
UGANDA Airlines has started plying the Harare-Entebbe route following the growth in air transport demand between the two countries, in a move aimed at boosting the economic and tourism sectors.
It is expected that frequent flights between the two destinations will also stimulate bilateral trade.
Although Harare is the immediate target route, Uganda Airlines also intends to service the Entebbe-Lusaka-Bulawayo and Entebbe-Lusaka-Victoria Falls routes.
Yesterday, a delegation from Uganda Airlines was received at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Tongai Mnangagwa and other senior Government officials.
The delegation included Uganda Minister of State for Transport Fred Byamukama, Minister of Finance, Planning Economic Development Matia Kasaija and Uganda Airlines board chairperson Mrs Serukka Priscilla Mirembe.
Uganda Airlines also intends to tap into the heavy traffic between Zimbabwe and Zambia through flights.
Speaking during the event, Minister Mhona congratulated the Uganda Airlines board and management for their remarkable leadership, which has enabled them to explore the air space between Entebbe and Harare.
“Indeed, occasions of this nature provide us with a wonderful opportunity to brush shoulders with colleagues from every walk of the aviation, tourism and hospitality industries,” said Minister Mhona.
“We are grateful to Uganda Airlines, the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, the Aeronautical Authority of Zimbabwe, and the whole aviation industry in Zimbabwe for this smart collaboration which has made this occasion a success.
“Zimbabwe as a whole is elated to celebrate this phenomenal event. That is why we have all representatives from every corner of the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors.”
The introduction of Uganda Airlines into Zimbabwean skies, brings on board new avenues for growth, development and collaboration between the two nations, added Minister Mhona, as the new route will enhance connectivity between Zimbabwe and Uganda.
In October 2019, President Mnangagwa and his Uganda counterpart Yoweri Museveni, agreed to establish a Joint Permanent Commission to enhance co-operation across many economic sectors and to fully implement existing agreements.
Under the Second Republic, air transport plays a critical role in enabling the attainment of an empowered upper-middle income society.
Said Minister Mhona: “It is our hope therefore, that as this connectivity will be facilitating tourism, cultural and business exchanges, economic opportunities will boom in this city, as the people-to-people relations between our citizens improve.”
Air transport, leveraged by robust airport infrastructure, is pivotal to national economic growth, he added.
“The introduction of new players in the market is in line with our policy of de-regulating the air transport sector, which is a key enabler to economic development.
“We hope that this will have a net effect of reducing air travel times with a view to improving access to a wider marketplace. I, therefore, challenge you all to make maximum use of this key business enabler.
“We believe that increased connectivity between Zimbabwe and Uganda is mutually-beneficial,” said Minister Mhona.
Uganda’s Finance Minister Kasaija applauded Zimbabwe for rehabilitating the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
“It’s nice that we make transport between our two countries easy. But I am a man who looks for money and wants to develop a country,” he said.
“This development is not just coming to enjoy ourselves, no; the essence is using this arrangement to make our people rich.
“What Zimbabwe does not have and is in Uganda; Zimbabweans should come, pick it and bring it here quickly.
“Similarly, if there is something that Zimbabwe has got and Uganda needs it, we should do likewise. We are brothers and sisters.”
Besides passengers, the airline is also looking at moving cargo.
Uganda Airlines has contracted the rapidly growing privately-owned handling company, Air Ground Services (AGS), to be its passenger handling company.
This is the second handling contract the entity has clinched, as it is presently working with fastjet and understood to be finalising two other contracts with new airlines eyeing Zimbabwean routes before year end.
Online Reporter