Uganda Airlines officially received its first leased narrowbody airliner, a Boeing 737-800 (registered as ET-APL), to address severe capacity constraints and mitigate recent flight disruptions across its regional network. According to The Monitor, the aircraft, acquired through a wet-lease partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, touched down at Entebbe International Airport this week.
The arrival of the Boeing 737-800 (registered as ET-APL) is the first phase of a short-term arrangement intended to bridge the gap in the carrier’s mid-range capabilities. Under the “wet-lease” (ACMI) agreement, Ethiopian Airlines provides the aircraft along with its own pilots, cabin crew, maintenance teams, and insurance. This allows Uganda Airlines to immediately scale up its operations without the lengthy delays associated with crew training or permanent aircraft procurement.
The national carrier has recently faced scrutiny over flight delays and cancellations, often attributed to a fleet that was stretched thin between its four 76-seater Bombardier CRJ-900s and two long-haul Airbus A330-800neos. The new 160-seater Boeing will provide a much-needed “middle ground,” offering increased passenger and cargo capacity for high-demand regional routes.
“This partnership with Ethiopian Airlines is a strategic intervention to ensure our passengers enjoy a more reliable and seamless travel experience,” an airline official stated. “The extra capacity will specifically target busy routes like Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Lagos, where we have seen consistent growth.” This fleet expansion comes during a period of transition for the airline. Recently, veteran aviation expert and former Ethiopian Airlines chief Girma Wake was appointed as Acting CEO to oversee reforms. Industry analysts view this lease as a sign of deepening cooperation between the two regional carriers, leveraging Ethiopian Airlines’ massive resources to stabilize Uganda’s national project. A second leased aircraft is expected to join the fleet in the coming weeks to further solidify the schedule.
