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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Airlines is uncertain on whether the revived National Carrier will be launching its first commercial flight in July as earlier expected. This is due to delays in acquiring the Air Operator Certificate- AOC among other requirements.
The Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Director, Ephraim Kalyebara Bagenda says that they are behind schedule.
The AOC is the approval granted by the country’s aviation authority to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes. This requires the operator to have personnel, assets and system in place to ensure the safety of its employees and the general public. The certificate will list the aircraft types and registrations to be used, for what purpose and in what area which includes specific airports or geographic region.
Bagenda says that they are currently working tirelessly to ensure that they beat the deadline.
On arrival of the two Bombardier CRJ planes, the Ministry of Works and Transport set a number of activities which could be handled before the Airplanes embark on several routes.
The set activities were to be handled within 90 days including, acquiring human resource, supplier contract negotiation for operational services, fuel, catering and technical handling.
Other activities included branding and uniform design, setting up of commercial offices and distribution network including airline association memberships, final online system design and roll out of booking systems and payment gateways.
However, Uganda Radio Network has learnt that all these are yet to be completed.
Bagenda notes that they now intend to tackle only the basic requirements which will include hiring a number of service providers to handle several other items which include booking, cargo handling both at their destinations and in Uganda.
Meanwhile, the Transport and works Minister Monica Azuba Ntege says ahead of the first flight, Uganda has signed Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) with Canada, Israel and Switzerland on top of the 47 which need to be activated. She adds that negotiations with Spain, Qatar and Oman are underway.
Azuba was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new board of directors of the national carrier on Friday.
The board of seven directors will be chaired by Ahabwe Godfrey Pereza. Ahabwe is a former MP for Rubanda East constituency and Minister of State for Local Government. Transport economist, Benon Kajuna will represent Ministry of works and Transport and Godfrey Ssemugooma, acting assistant accountant general will represent Ministry of Finance.
Other members are Catherine Asinde Poran and Rehema N. Mutazindwa, the two female nominees are from private sector while Charles Hamya and Stephene Aziku Zua, are also members of the board.
The Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya challenged the new board to ensure that the airline gets means of self-sustainability than depending on unreliable government funds.
Azuba also says that the board and managers of the revived airline should closely check the value and quality of services by setting up strong client charters as they learn from the mistakes that led to the collapse of the airline.
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