A traditional dance troupe entertain guests on the occasion of receiving the second Airbus A330neo aircraft at Entebbe International Airport in Wakiso District, Central Region of Uganda, Feb. 2, 2021. Uganda on Tuesday received its second Airbus A330neo aircraft, bringing the total fleet to six as the national carrier, Uganda Airlines, continues with revival efforts. The A330neo aircraft touched down at Entebbe International Airport, 40 km south of the capital Kampala, on Tuesday as few invited guests due to COVID-19 guidelines cheered. The country received a similar aircraft last month. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)
KAMPALA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Tuesday received its second Airbus A330neo aircraft, bringing the total fleet to six as the national carrier, Uganda Airlines, continues with revival efforts.
The A330neo aircraft touched down at Entebbe International Airport, 40 km south of the capital Kampala, on Tuesday as few invited guests due to COVID-19 guidelines cheered. The country received a similar aircraft last month.
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda who received the aircraft thanked Ugandan pilots and aircraft engineers for playing a critical role in offering technical guidance to the government in restarting Uganda Airlines.
According to the carrier, the two new aircraft will soon start making direct flights to Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
"The successful delivery is an affirmation of Uganda Airlines' ambition to start long haul operation and this new wide-body pair will serve the carrier's international network expansion with flights from its hub at Entebbe International Airport," said the airline in a Tuesday statement.
Uganda Airlines collapsed in 2001 after it faced financial difficulties. It was liquidated after years of making losses.
Uganda began flight operations in August 2019 with the four Bombardiers CRJ900 for regional flights.
Government is optimistic that the revival of the national flag carrier will boost the country's economic growth and tourism. Ugandans spend over 400 million U.S. dollars on air travel annually. Enditem
