Uganda Airlines starts validation flights today

July 23, 2019 in Business, Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Uganda Airlines will operate a mix of A330neo’s for the long haul network and shorter range Bombardier CRJ’s for the regional feeder network

Uganda Airlines, call sign UR, will today operate the first of two validation flights as the carrier romps through the last stages of securing an operators licence.

According to sources familiar with the development, the carrier which plans to start commercial operations in the last week of August will today fly to Nairobi with CAA inspectors on board and a cabin with passengers to mimic normal flight operations. A second validation flight will be conducted tomorrow, this time to Dar es salaam under similar conditions.

Validations flights come at he tail end of the certification process and typically indicate that barring unexpected developments, the carrier is ready for commercial operations.

Uganda Airlines has so far taken delivery of the first pair of an eventual fleet of four Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft. A third airframe is expected this week.

The carrier has revealed an initial route network that among other destinations includes Bujumbura, Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Mogadishu and Juba.