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Uganda Airlines is set to shake up the East African aviation market with its inaugural direct flight to London Gatwick, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion strategy. The new service, scheduled to launch on May 18, 2025, will operate four times a week, positioning Uganda Airlines as a direct competitor to regional heavyweights Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.
The entry into the UK market comes nearly a decade after British Airways halted its service to Entebbe in November 2015, leaving Ugandan travelers reliant on connecting flights through Nairobi and Addis Ababa. Uganda Airlines’ direct route is expected to reduce travel time and enhance convenience, potentially drawing passengers away from Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, both of which have long dominated the East Africa-UK corridor.
Kenya Airways, which currently operates daily flights to London Heathrow, is set to introduce three weekly flights to Gatwick starting July 2, 2025, in response to Uganda Airlines’ move. Ethiopian Airlines, which resumed Gatwick operations in November 2023 after a 17-year hiatus, now flies to the airport four times a week, bringing its total UK-bound flights to 11 per week. RwandAir, meanwhile, has opted to concentrate its UK operations solely at Heathrow.
Uganda Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer, Adedayo Olawuyi, expressed confidence in the new route’s potential, citing strong demand for direct flights between Entebbe and London. “The Entebbe-London market saw approximately 90,000 passengers in 2023. We anticipate a 15 percent increase in traffic within the first year of operations,” Olawuyi stated.
Despite the optimism, Uganda Airlines faces stiff competition from established carriers, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, which offer extensive connections beyond London. Until Uganda Airlines secures partnerships with other airlines for onward carriage, it will remain an origin-and-destination operator, limiting its ability to attract transit passengers heading to the U.S. and other European destinations.
Industry analysts note that the growing number of East African carriers flying into Gatwick reflects two key trends: rising demand for Africa-UK travel and the scarcity of slots at Heathrow, which has made expansion at the UK’s primary airport increasingly difficult. Airlines seeking entry into Heathrow must either purchase slots at exorbitant prices or accept inconvenient scheduling, making Gatwick a more viable alternative for growth.
Ethiopian Airlines currently holds a capacity advantage over its competitors, operating the Airbus A350-900 on its UK routes, which offers greater passenger volume and fuel efficiency. However, Uganda Airlines’ direct service from Entebbe could disrupt existing traffic patterns, particularly for Ugandan travelers who previously relied on Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines for UK-bound flights.
As Uganda Airlines prepares for its London debut, the airline’s success will depend on its ability to maintain competitive pricing, secure strategic partnerships, and deliver consistent service quality. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Uganda Airlines can carve out a sustainable niche in the UK market or whether regional giants will retain their dominance.