Uganda Airlines (1976) (Entebbe) 2.0 could be in the skies by the end of the year, Uganda's Works & Transport Minister, Abraham Byandala, has said. In an interview with the local Ugandan press, Mr Byandala said a government drawn-up proposal for the re-establishment of the defunct national carrier will shortly go before Cabinet for consideration, where it is expected to be endorsed. Among the core issues to be decided upon are whether or not the proposed carrier should be a 100% state-owned entity similar to that of Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa International) or a Public-Private venture along the lines of Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) in which a reputable partner would be found. Following years of losses and a failed 49% sell-off bid to South African Airways (SA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) in the late 90s, Kampala liquidated Uganda Airlines (1976) (Entebbe) in 2001 though has since come to regret the move in light of its regional neighbours Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia's success in using aviation to help foster economic growth. According to The African Aviation Tribune, Ethiopian has been advising Kampala with its plans to revive Uganda Airlines though the extent to which Ethiopian has been involved or will be involved in future, is uncertain.
By Ivan Nadalet
17Jul2013