Jambojet, a low-cost carrier owned by Kenya Airways, has resumed daily flights between Nairobi and Entebbe, Uganda. The flights were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which led the airline to focus on its domestic network. The route was first launched in 2018 and is now operational again, with flights departing Nairobi in the morning and returning from Entebbe in the afternoon.
The airline is using De Havilland Dash 8 Q400 aircraft on the route, offering introductory one-way fares starting from approximately Sh22,950. However, the final fare may vary depending on availability and booking conditions. The resumption of flights comes as travel between Kenya and Uganda continues to grow, driven by business, tourism, sports, and cross-border trade.
According to figures presented at the launch, around 234,000 passengers traveled between Kenya and Uganda last year. Uganda is also Kenya's second-largest source market for visitors after the United States, with tourism officials targeting growth in overall traveler numbers between the two countries to about 300,000.
Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda, Ababu Namwamba, expressed optimism that the renewed flight connection would help turn the close relationship between the two countries into greater economic activity. He emphasized that the move would facilitate shared prosperity and encourage more Ugandans to visit Kenya and vice versa.
Jambojet's chief executive, Karanja Ndegwa, stated that the airline was returning to Uganda with greater experience and a larger operation than when it first entered the market. The airline has grown significantly since its launch, carrying 1.257 million passengers in 2024, up from 1.209 million the previous year, with revenues increasing by 16 percent.
The airline is also improving its operational reliability, with an on-time performance of 86.3 percent as of September and a year-to-date average of 84.6 percent. Jambojet aims to hit its target of 85 percent on-time performance. The renewed route is expected to support not only passenger traffic but also cargo and parcel movement between the two countries.
The resumption of flights is also expected to boost economic ties between Kenya and Uganda, with Kenya Airways acting chief executive Habil Olaka noting that the route would serve a relationship that extends beyond tourism. Aviation Principal Secretary Terry Mbaika emphasized that the success of the route should be judged by the economic activity generated by travelers rather than passenger numbers alone.
Key points
- Jambojet resumes daily flights to Entebbe, Uganda, after Covid-19 pandemic suspension
- The airline aims to boost economic ties between Kenya and Uganda through increased air services
- Jambojet considers expanding its regional network to Kenya's coast, potentially introducing direct Entebbe-Mombasa flights
