Entebbe to become a regional hub
Hi there, from The Monitor: ENTEBBE International Airport is to be established into a regional hub, the Minister of Works, Transport and Communications Eng. John Nasasira, has said. "Uganda requires a very efficient air transport system to transport its exports and imports," he said. Officiating at the commissioning of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) head office building and celebrations of CAA's 14th anniversary in Entebbe on Friday, Nasasira said the relocation of CAA office has created more space at terminal building, which he said would be used for private business opportunities and improved passenger facilitation. He appealed to CAA management to put emphasis on the development of infrastructure and facilities that support government's strategic programmes to improve the economy of the country. "For Entebbe to become a regional hub, the airport authorities must put the necessary incentives in place. Incentives and investment opportunities must be identified and floated. And investors must be attracted," he said. He promised government's commitment to increase funding for maintenance of upcountry airports, joint security services and provision of civil aviation infrastructure. "Government is on a serious drive to increase the number of bilateral and multilateral air services so as to increase the number of airlines into and out of Entebbe airport. CAA must evolve a marketing strategy to augment government efforts," he said. From 110,000 in 1991, we processed 490,000 international passengers in 2004 and we hope to double this figure by 2011. Imports and exports through Entebbe have registered an annual average growth of 30 percent over the last 14 years of CAA service. Due to increase in passengers and need for security, CAA is planning to install air bridges to help embark and disembark passengers in a more acceptable and secure manner. Already kind of a hub for cargo, the airport is now growing and I personally see a future for it. Felix

Here's a story from flight international on some Ugandan carriers exploring the idea of jointly establishing a joint national carrier. This would greatly boost EBB has a hub, especially if they get one of the mentioned big airlines as a strategic partner. Ugandan air operators explore joint airline idea Uganda’s air transport industry is jointly promoting a bid that would see the rebirth of a viable national carrier, writes Michael Wakabi in Kampala. Flight International understands from local airline sources that exploratory talks have taken place between three Ugandan airlines on the possibility of teaming up to launch a single long-haul airline that would form the nucleus of a hub at Entebbe International airport. Although all three carriers involved say that it is too early to discuss definitive plans, all confirm that they have broached the idea and at least one meeting has already taken place. Sources say that East African Airlines (EAA), general aviation operator Eagle Air and cargo operator DAS Air are informally discussing a model under which they would all participate in one long-haul carrier, into which the Ugandan government would be invited as a minority shareholder. One of the major international airlines, possibly British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or Emirates, would then be brought on board as a strategic partner to provide the fleet and connections to a global network. As a precondition the promoters would want the new carrier accorded what they describe as “fair protection befitting a national airline”. Confirming the talks took place in late June, EAA managing director Benedict Mutyaba says that, ideally, the new carrier would equip with two 40-seat turboprops, three 100-seaters, and two widebodies such as the Airbus A330 or Boeing 767. Mutyaba says Entebbe would offer a good alternative to Nairobi. If the venture takes off, it would be the third attempt in four years to start a national airline in Uganda.

Hope it works this time. But it should with such experienced airlines. Felix