UCAA Director General, Fred K. Bamwesigye, addressing the press
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has revealed that Entebbe International Airport registered a strong performance in the first half of 2024, having 226,795 more passengers than was recorded in the same period of January to June 2023.
The revelation was made by UCAA Director General, Fred K. Bamwesigye at a press conference held at Entebbe International Airport on August 20, 2024.
“In specific terms, the airport recorded half year figures of 1,069,224 international passengers, 527,692 arriving and 541,532 departing passengers from January to June 2024 compared to a total of 842,429 in the same period of January to June 2023,” Bamwesigye said.
He added that July 2024 recorded a total of 182,494 international passengers, 92,379 arriving and 90,115 departing passengers, an average of 5,886 passengers per day.
Cargo traffic also saw a significant boost, with a total of 32,794 metric tones recorded in January to June 2024 of which exports were 22,380 metric tones and 10,414 metric tones of imports compared to a total of 25,951 metric tones in January to June 2023.
“Export cargo grew by 18.9%, while import cargo saw a remarkable 46.2% increase. Despite the growth trends, exports have generally remained higher than imports in the last four years,” Bamwesigye said, adding that in July 2024, Entebbe recorded cargo traffic of 4,123 metric tonnes of exports and 1,618 metric tonnes of imports, a total of 5,741 metric tonnes compared to 5,745 metric tones in the previous year.
“It is good to see such strong growth in both passenger and cargo traffic. The numbers demonstrate the airport’s importance in fostering international travel, tourism and trade. We look forward to continuing to serve our passengers and customers with provision of world-class facilities and services,” Bamwesigye said.
According to UCAA, aircraft movements were 15,223 in January to June 2024 compared to 14,575 in January to June 2023, reflecting a 4.4% growth, while overflights were 12,359 in January to June 2024 compared to 11,203 in the same period of 2023, reflecting a 10.3% growth.
On the other hand, transit passengers were 53,559 in January to June 2024 compared to 57,469 in January to June 2023, reflecting a decline of -6.8%.
In terms of infrastructure, Bamwesigye said, the project for upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport is progressing well, and is standing at 92% level of completion, overall.
“You may recall that as part of the same project, both runways were already resurfaced, a new 100,000 tones capacity cargo center completed in 2021, and Aircraft Aprons, 2, 4, and 5 (cargo Apron completed). Pending works are on the main Apron 1, which has been expanded (currently at 96%) and the new terminal building connecting to the current terminal, whose works are on-going and at 65% level of completion,” Bamwesigye explained.
As part of further enhancement of service provision, a new Business Class facility is currently being erected within the terminal building and this will be completed by early next year.
“We have also stepped-up stakeholder engagements with all the various service providers of services and facilities at Entebbe International Airport, including airlines, ground handlers, Immigration, Customs, Security and all concessionaires to ensure timely resolution of passenger complaints in order to ensure a better passenger experience,” he said.
