Uganda Airlines is expanding its presence in West Africa with the launch of a new route between Entebbe and Accra, Ghana. The flights, which begin on October 27, 2026, will have stopovers in Lagos, Nigeria. The airline plans to operate four flights per week using a Boeing 737-800 leased from Ethiopian Airlines. This new route strengthens Uganda Airlines' presence in West Africa, where it already serves Lagos and Abuja.
The launch of the Entebbe-Accra route is part of Uganda Airlines' regional development strategy to make Entebbe a hub connecting East Africa, West Africa, and international markets. The airline aims to increase its network and provide more travel options for passengers. With this new route, Uganda Airlines is pursuing its goal of becoming a major player in the African aviation industry.
In a separate development, Qatar Airways is offering a voluntary short-term secondment opportunity to some of its A330 pilots to work with RwandAir. This move comes after Qatar Airways retired its passenger Airbus A330 fleet, which made up 7 percent of its capacity as of early 2026. The retired planes were nearing the end of their lifespan and were initially supposed to be phased out years ago.
Qatar Airways has had a long-standing relationship with RwandAir, and the two airlines have collaborated on various initiatives. RwandAir even acquired an ex-Qatar Airways A330 earlier this year. The secondment opportunity offered to Qatar Airways pilots is a short-term arrangement, allowing them to gain experience working with RwandAir.
The retirement of Qatar Airways' A330 fleet is part of the airline's regular review of its fleet composition. Qatar Airways spokesperson stated that the airline regularly retires older aircraft and introduces newer, more efficient aircraft as they are delivered. The airline expects to receive 138 new aircraft over the next five years.
The A330 fleet was delivered to Qatar Airways starting in 2002, with 45 aircraft, including 29 A330-200s and 16 A330-300s. The airline has been phasing out the A330s over time, and their retirement is not a surprise. However, the move has raised questions about the future of Qatar Airways' small A380 fleet.
The partnership between Qatar Airways and RwandAir is expected to benefit both airlines. For Qatar Airways, the secondment opportunity allows it to manage its excess pilot capacity, while RwandAir gains access to experienced pilots. The collaboration between the two airlines is a testament to their strong relationship and commitment to growth and development in the African aviation industry.
Key points
- Uganda Airlines launches direct flights to Ghana with stopovers in Lagos.
- Qatar Airways pilots are offered short-term secondment opportunities with RwandAir.
- Qatar Airways retires its passenger Airbus A330 fleet.
