Uganda Airlines Launches Historic Direct Flights to London Gatwick

Uganda Airlines has officially launched its first-ever direct flights to London, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s aviation history. The inaugural flight from Entebbe International Airport to London Gatwick took off on May 18, 2025, re-establishing a direct air link between Uganda and the United Kingdom after nearly a decade. This development is expected to boost business, tourism, and trade between the two nations.

The new route operates four times a week—on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—using the state-of-the-art Airbus A330-800neo. This aircraft offers 258 seats across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes, ensuring a comfortable experience for travelers.

Uganda Airlines CEO, Jenifer Bamuturaki, hailed the launch as a turning point for the airline and the country. “This route marks the end of our establishment phase and sets us on the course for long-term growth and expansion,” Bamuturaki said.

The direct flights are anticipated to facilitate the swift movement of people, goods, and services, benefiting exporters and importers by reducing transit times and eliminating layovers. Uganda’s exports to the UK were valued at $22.6 million in 2024, and the new route is expected to support the rapid growth of Ugandan exports, particularly fresh produce

The launch has been met with enthusiasm from both Ugandan and UK authorities. London Gatwick Airport welcomed Uganda Airlines, expressing excitement about the new addition to its network.

With over 500 bookings secured ahead of the inaugural flight, the route has already proven popular among travelers. Bookings have been confirmed well into December 2025 and even extending into 2026, indicating strong demand for the service.

This expansion into the European market is part of Uganda Airlines’ broader strategy to position Entebbe as a key aviation hub in East Africa. The airline has already expanded its African network to 14 destinations and plans to open more routes to strengthen long-haul connectivity.

The direct flights to London are expected to attract more visitors to Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” by making travel between Uganda and the UK more accessible. With Uganda Airlines’ hub in Entebbe offering seamless connections to destinations such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, and Dar es Salaam, the airline aims to position itself as a key player in the African aviation market.

As Uganda Airlines continues to expand its reach, the new London route will enhancing global connectivity and supporting Uganda’s economic growth

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