Entebbe defies Uganda Airlines disruptions to post 10.8pc passenger growth in 2025

February 27, 2026 in Business, Companies, The Business Interview, Trade & Industry, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Entebbe International Airport registered a 10.8 percent surge in passenger traffic in 2025, defying operational disruptions faced by home carrier Uganda Airlines during the year.

Full-year figures released by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority show that the airport handled 2,486,893 international passengers in calendar year 2025, up from 2,243,104 in 2024. The growth extends a steady upward trajectory from 1,932,094 passengers in 2023 and 1,574,405 in 2022, underscoring sustained post-pandemic recovery and expanding connectivity.

December 2025 emerged as the busiest month of the year, with 242,527 international passengers — comprising 121,687 arrivals and 120,840 departures — translating into an average of about 7,823 passengers per day. This compares with 222,317 passengers recorded in December 2024, highlighting strong year-end travel demand despite fleet outages that affected Uganda Airlines’ long-haul operations.

A review of monthly data confirms that December 2025 recorded the highest single-month passenger throughput of the year, reinforcing Entebbe’s resilience amid carrier-specific disruptions.

Six years after its relaunch, Uganda Airlines has emerged as the largest operator out of Entebbe. By the close of the 2024/25 financial year in June, the flag carrier accounted for 27 percent of total passenger traffic and an equal share of airport revenue. This was up from 24 percent the previous year — growth achieved off a larger passenger and revenue base.

Uganda Airlines now leads the market, followed by Ethiopian Airlines with 11 percent of traffic, Kenya Airways at 9 percent, and Emirates with 5 percent.

The airline’s route network currently spans 17 destinations, including three intercontinental services to Dubai, London and Mumbai — a footprint that has strengthened its regional and long-haul connectivity.

Within the African market segment, Uganda Airlines carried 37 percent of Africa-bound passengers and generated 49 percent of related revenue from Entebbe during the year under review. Ethiopian Airlines followed with 18 percent, Kenya Airways 14 percent, and RwandAir at 7 percent.

On the cargo front, the airport handled 69,595 metric tonnes in 2025, up from 67,098 metric tonnes in 2024. This compares with 59,072 metric tonnes in 2023 and 61,255 metric tonnes in 2022, reflecting gradual recovery and expansion in air freight.

December alone accounted for 6,728 metric tonnes, including 2,356 metric tonnes of imports and 4,372 metric tonnes of exports.

Exports continue to outpace imports, driven largely by Uganda’s fresh produce, fish and flower shipments to regional and international markets.

In January 2026, Entebbe handled 150,188 international passengers, including 67,570 arrivals and 82,618 departures — an average of about 4,845 arriving and departing passengers per day.

Cargo throughput for the month stood at 3,982 metric tonnes, comprising 1,577 metric tonnes of imports and 2,405 metric tonnes of exports.

The data suggest that despite carrier-specific disruptions, Entebbe International Airport’s overall growth trajectory remains intact, underpinned by diversified airline operations, expanding route networks and resilient export demand — reinforcing its role as Uganda’s primary gateway to global markets.