Participants at the 51st Board Air Services Licensing Committee meeting in a group photo
The Board of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has on their table four applications (03 renewals and 01 new) for consideration.
These are: Misk Air Limited, Air Serv Limited, Premier Services East Africa Limited and Arasus Aviation Limited.
UCAA Board Chairman, Steven Kavuma made the revelation on Friday while addressing the 51st Board Air Services Licensing Committee meeting at Protea Hotel in Kampala.
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), under Section 6 (2) of the CAA Act Cap. 354 as amended is responsible for the licensing of air transport services. In addition, the Authority advises the Government of the Republic of Uganda on matters relating to the development of air services such as Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) and other air transport activities.
Currently, there are 26 Ugandan licensed air operators offering the following air services; scheduled passenger and/or cargo, non-scheduled passenger and/or cargo, Private, Training and Aerial Works.
With regard to scheduled international air services, Uganda has concluded Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with fifty-six (56) Countries; 16 Airlines operate international scheduled services to and from Entebbe International Airport in accordance with the provisions of the BASAs concluded between Uganda and the respective Countries; Uganda Airlines operates to thirteen (13) destinations namely: Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Bujumbura, Kinshasa, Mogadishu, Lagos and Mumbai, and Uganda Airlines intends to commence scheduled operations to Harare, Lusaka and Abuja in this month of September 2024.
“The Authority therefore encourages Ugandan licenced air operators serving domestic and international routes to synergize through airline cooperative arrangements like codeshare agreements and interlining with Uganda Airlines and other international air operators in order to increase air connectivity and stimulate the growth of air passenger and cargo traffic in Uganda,” said Kavuma.
Kavuma said Uganda Civil Aviation Authority reiterates its commitment to the growth and development of the aviation industry in Uganda.
According to the acting Director General of the UCAA, Hellen Wenene, the Authority always strives to create a level playing field for all operators, while encouraging fair competition, innovation and consumer protection.
“As you all know, the Authority successfully completed two back-to-back international safety and security audits, the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) in September 2023 and the Universal Security Audit Programe (USAP) in Jan-February 2024. Uganda scored above the regional and global average in both audits, an indicator of compliance with the highest standards of safety and security. The Authority will, therefore, continue to urge licensees to be compliant, accountable and ensure that they meet to the required safety and operational standards to uphold the required service delivery,” said Wenene.
She adds that “whenever we renew licenses of existing operators, or approve new operators to come on board, it has a direct bearing on domestic and international passenger traffic, as well as cargo volumes, which ultimately translates into more revenue for the country.”
In relation to traffic, Wenene revealed that Entebbe International Airport recorded a total of 226,795 more passengers in the first half of this year (January to June 2024) than was recorded in the same period of January to June 2023.
The airport recorded a total of 1,069, 224 international passengers, 527, 692 arrivals and 541532 departures (Jan-June 2024) compared to a total of 842,429 (Jan-June 2023) which is an average of 5,886 passengers per day.
She noted that the rehabilitation of Kisoro aerodrome was recently completed with resurfacing of the runway, taxiway and apron. There are efforts to extend the length of the runway from the current 1200 meters to 1800 meters.
In future, she revealed that “we have plans to extend the runway to 2300 meters after acquisition of land. There are technical proposals to develop the Gulu, Arua and Kidepo aerodromes to international airports before hosting the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).”
“The statistics clearly indicate growth in the aviation industry, and we hope that you will continue to contribute towards that growth. I also take this opportunity to urge you to be continually innovative and adopt the use of modern technology as the aviation industry is now highly reliant on technology. In that respect, the Authority has invested a lot in adoption of new technologies in relation to air navigation systems, among others,” Wenene revealed.
She added: “I take this opportunity to update industry stakeholders that the new air traffic control systems and procedures in place at Entebbe International Airport have come with efficiency in landing and take-off. Aircraft can now fly smoothly to the preferred altitude without disruption by the Air Traffic Controller in a bid to separate them from other traffic, and the same applies when an aircraft is descending. This is not only efficient but has reduced the workload for the Pilot and Air Traffic Controller.”
Technology makes things easy
She noted that technology has reduced on noise, carbon emissions and made the flight more comfortable for the passenger.
“We earlier on automated systems at Entebbe International Airport, and as a result of the automation, there is a centralized monitoring system at Entebbe, which facilitates maintenance. If one of the connected systems at any of the aerodromes, such as Soroti, Gulu or Arua fails, the maintenance team can see it in Entebbe using the centralized monitoring system,” said Wenene, adding: “This is enhancing efficiency in service provision. Technology has also enhanced coordination with all the teams. Information communicated by an in-coming aircraft to air traffic control can be easily disseminated through the Terminal Operations Control Centre (TOCC) in an instant to all concerned stakeholders, including Immigration, Airport Operations, Briefing, Security and all that need to know once the controller enters the information in the system.”
She revealed that automation of the Personnel Licensing (PEL) system is ongoing.
“Installing the software and training will commence upon approval and deployment is planned by 31st November 2024. The system application will include the application process, payment for exams & license, feedback on all issues and thereafter the applicant can present him or self for the physical exams before the license is awarded,” she added.
In relation to automation of Oversight functions, Wenene said that the Authority is in the process of implementing the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSORT), which is in eight phases.
She explained that “Two phases for aviation security and six phases for aviation safety oversight, which will ease the way of doing business and standardization of aviation security and safety oversight functions. This is a global practice.”
