Uganda Airlines announced that with the increasing demand for air transportation between the two countries, the company will open a route from Harare to Entebbe, Uganda starting from the 25th of this month.
Frequent flights between the two places will stimulate bilateral trade.
This route is expected to carry up to 9000 passengers between two destinations, and the number of passengers is expected to continue to grow.
Although Harare is the most direct target route, Uganda Airlines also intends to provide services for the Entebbe Lusaka Bravayo and Entebbe Lusaka Victoria Falls routes.
According to Uganda Airlines, the company will also address the busy traffic between Zimbabwe and Zambia through flights.
The round-trip ticket price from Harare to Entebbe is between $500 and $600.
Entering the Zimbabwe route is part of Uganda Airlines' broader plan to expand its route network to the region.
In addition to passengers, airlines are also paying attention to cargo transportation considering the volume of cargo between the two destinations.
At present, more than 20 foreign airlines have flown to Zimbabwe, mainly attracted by the increasing number of passengers traveling to and from their destinations, the growing economy, peace and tranquility, the booming tourism industry, and the government's open sky policy.
International airlines serving Zimbabwe include Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Kenya Airways, Eurowings, Ba Comair, Air link, Rwanda Airways, Tanzania Airlines, and Malawi Air Express.
In an interview, Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer of Uganda Airlines, said that this route will also promote trade between the two destinations.
He stated that this will increase tourism revenue between the two countries, as both countries have tourism attractions.
We are currently planning to collaborate with travel agencies to promote this route locally.
The purpose of doing so is to promote market services between Entebbe and Harare, as there has been no direct connection between the two countries so far.
By the end of this year, Uganda Airlines will also open flights to China and London, bridging the gap between the East and the West. He said that there were about 44 airlines in Zimbabwe in the past, which indicates the huge potential of the Zimbabwean market.
Mr. Olawuyi said that Uganda Airlines did not encounter many logistical challenges when laying out this route because the government made the process simple and easy.
He pointed out that the company not only focuses on passenger services, but also on cargo transportation services. In the long run, this route can bring revenue to the national airline.
Mr. Olawuyi said that they are considering achieving a break even point in the first 18 months of operating the new route.
Background knowledge: Entebbe is located in southern Uganda, adjacent to Lake Victoria. The city has an elevation of 1160 meters and is 34 kilometers away from the capital city of Kampala. Due to the fact that Uganda's only international airport is located here, it is known as the "gateway to Uganda's external world". As a typical lakeside city, Entebbe boasts stunning scenery and is a famous tourist destination in Uganda. Every year, a considerable number of foreign tourists come here for sightseeing, and tourism revenue has become an important source of income for the city. Prior to Uganda's independence in 1962, Entebbe was the capital city of Uganda.
