Air Arabia, which describes itself as the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), has announced the introduction of a new service to Entebbe in Uganda.
The direct flights from Sharjah, UAE, will start on October 10, 2021.
The development comes after Uganda Airlines announced plans to commence international flights to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in September.
Over 84,000 passengers flew on Entebbe-London flight on a two-way point-to-point basis in 2019, making Entebbe the second largest unserved market from Africa to London.
This route is marginally behind Harare while Dar Es Salaam with its new airport has a strong 51,000.
Additionally, between 200 and 300 migrant workers, leave Entebbe daily for work in Saudi Arabia, Oman and other gulf countries.
This has sparked intense competition for the lucrative Entebbe-UAE route among airlines.
This means Uganda Airlines will now compete with Emirates and Air Arabia for customers to UAE.
Flights to UAE are expected to increase as the country hosts the Dubai expo targeting over 10 million visitors.
Air Arabia was established in 2003 by the Ruler of Sharjah and the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, and is now a publicly-listed company based in Sharjah with secondary hubs at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, UAE as well as Casablanca and Cairo. Air Arabia’s network includes services within the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Europe.
