KAMPALA – Uganda Airlines has firmed up its order for two A330-800 airliners, the latest version of the most popular A330 widebody airliner.
Fitted with the new Airspace by Airbus cabin, the A330neo will bring a range of benefits to Uganda Airlines and its customers, offering unrivalled efficiencies combined with the most modern cabin.
Uganda Airlines plans to use the A330-800 to build its medium and long-haul network with the aircraft offering cutting-edge technology along with more efficient operations
Launched in July 2014, the A330neo Family is the new generation A330, comprising two versions: the A330-800 and A330-900 sharing 99 percent commonality. It builds on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the A330 Family, while reducing fuel consumption by about 25 percent per seat versus previous generation competitors and increasing range by up to 1,500 nm compared to the majority of A330s in operation.
Talking planes, @UG_Airlines has firmed up its order for two Airbus A330neo aircraft, the manufacturer @Airbus has confirmed @FrankTumwebazek @OfwonoOpondo @nbstv @newvisionwire @DenisNabz pic.twitter.com/ZmD2iNJz4i
— Don Wanyama (@nyamadon) April 8, 2019
The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new wing with increased span and new A350 XWB-inspired Sharklets. The cabin provides the comfort of the new Airspace amenities including state-of-the-art passenger inflight entertainment and Wifi connectivity systems, amongst others.
The first Bombardier jet for the revived Uganda Airlines is scheduled to arrive in the country on April 32 according to Don Wanyama, the senior presidential press secretary.
Mr. Wanyama did not give details of the remaining three Bombardiers.
“…On April 23rd, at exactly 3pm, the first of the @UG_Airlines [Uganda Airlines] Bombardier CRJ900 will touch down at Entebbe International Airport,” he noted adding “and that, will mark the revival of the airlines,” reads a hist tweet.
Last year, Uganda ordered for four CRJ900 regional jets with Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, as part of the much-anticipated plan for the revival of Uganda Airlines.
The first jet was supposed to have been delivered on Sunday April 8 this year, but government kept pushing forward the arrival time. Eventually when the first jet arrives, Mr. Wanyama said that, will mark the revival of the airlines.”
Mr. Ephraim Bagenda, the acting Uganda Airlines CEO said that upon arrival, Uganda Airlines will start the certification process which will take about two months.
“All of them are Ugandans and some of them have completed their training and some of them are still undergoing training. We have got 24 captains; 12 captains and 12 first officers or co-pilots,” he said.
Uganda Airline first Bombardier CRJ-900 hit the skies for the first test flight from Montreal Mirabel international airport, Canada on February 17, 2019.
An 8-minute video clip was uploaded on YouTube showing the test flight. The video clip triggered excitement among Ugandans.