Aviation giants Airbus and Boeing are eyeing up a potential order from Uganda Airlines. As reported by The EastAfrican, representatives from both manufacturers headed to Kampala this week to court the Ugandan flag carrier for a possible six-jet order.

Fleet development plans

Uganda Airlines, which currently operates a very polar fleet, is looking for a mid-range jet to bridge the gap between its two Airbus A330-800 widebodies and four regional Bombardier CRJ900s. The airline has struggled to make a profit over the past several years primarily due to its slow network development and high operating costs on low-demand, mid-range routes.

For the financial year ending 2022, Ugandan Airlines recorded a total $72 million loss, up almost $27 million from 2021, making now the ideal time for a fleet re-development if the airline is to meet its goal of breaking even by 2027.

Chief Executive Jennifer Bamuturaki confirmed with the Ugandan news outlet that delegates from Airbus, Boeing, and smaller Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer are all putting forward pitches to the airline, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority.

“Everyone is pitching. Airbus is pitching, Boeing is pitching and Embraer is pitching, but as Uganda Airlines, what we are interested in is a mid-range aircraft,” Bamuturaki told The EastAfrican.

“We want an aircraft that can do Dubai, Mumbai or London when we have low loads. We also want a mid-range one on those routes where the A330 is either too big or unavailable.”

Uganda Airlines has been approached for further information, though it has not responded at the time of publication.

Comparing options

The required aircraft will be set out on Uganda Airlines’ short to medium-haul network while also serving as a backbone for its cargo operations.

Boeing’s likely candidate is the 737 MAX series. The narrowbody family is an often popular choice for joint cargo and passenger operations, offering a higher payload than its European competitor. The MAX series also provides a 20% fuel efficiency compared to previous generations, and 14% lowered airframe maintenance, making it a very cost-effective option.

Airbus has two models on offer; the A320neo family and the slightly smaller A220. The A321neo and upcoming A321XLR offer a significant range increase compared to the MAX, at 4,000 and 4,700 NM, respectively, allowing the airline to provide lower-capacity services across from its hub at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) across the entire African continent and into the Middle East and southern Europe. The jet would likely slot in perfectly for Uganda Airlines’ Entebbe – Dubai (DBX) and Entebbe – Johannesburg (JNB) services, previously highlighted by the carrier over their high operating costs with the Airbus A330.

Check out more African aviation news here.

Smaller jets to consider

The Airbus A220, although a slightly smaller option, has quickly become an aviation darling owed to its excellent economics and low emissions. The jet has already amassed almost 800 orders, including current African operators Air Senegal, Ibom Air, Air Tanzania, and EgyptAir. Unfortunately, with a range of 3800 NM, destinations like Dubai would be on the very edge of its operating limits; however, the versatile jet could provide a reduction in fleet and crew costs for Uganda Airlines if utilized on both regional and medium-haul services.

Although lower capacity than some of Airbus and Boeing’s options, Embraer’s E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft could also make it into the mix. The larger E195-E2 offers around double the capacity of Uganda Airlines’ current CRJ900s, with 146 seats available in its highest-density configuration. While a good choice for popular regional operations, the E190-E2 and E195-E2 offer 2,850 and 2,655 NM, respectively, making the aircraft an unlikely selection for the carrier.

What aircraft would you like to see Ugandan Airlines add to its fleet? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: The EastAfrican, ChimpReports

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  Boeing

  Stock Code:

  BA

  Date Founded:

  1916-07-15

  CEO:

  Dave Calhoun

  Headquarters Location:

  Chicago, USA

  Key Product Lines:

  Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787

  Business Type:

  Planemaker

• 

  Airbus

  Stock Code:

  AIR

  Date Founded:

  1970-12-18

  CEO:

  Guillaume Faury

  Headquarters Location:

  Toulouse, France

  Key Product Lines:

  Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380

  Business Type:

  Planemaker