In a move that will step up competition in the aviation industry, Air Uganda- a Kampala based airline will start flying daily to Kigali International Airport beginning next month, Business Times has learnt.

Air Uganda uses MD87 twin jet with 20 business class and 79 economy seats. The airline which has been in operation since 2007 is part of the Meridiana Group that is based in Olbia –Costa Esmeralda Airport, Italy, founded by his highness the Aga Khan.

Speaking to Business Times on Friday , Desire Barugahare, the Head of Marketing and Public Relations of Air Uganda confirmed the development indicating that the airline is scheduled to begin daily morning flights between Entebbe and Kigali on February 8.

"We are meeting the demands of our customers and making travelling much easier within the region. We are also offering competitive charges,” Barugahare said.

The airline will be charging $150 for a return air ticket on the route excluding tax charges. Currently, only RwandAir has daily flights between Entebbe and Kigali.

Barugahare also observed that her airline in principle will not compete with the Rwandair which has had monopoly over the route for the last few years. "We do not look at RwandAir as competitors but as our partners because shall be sharing passengers.  When the detailed flight schedule is out, you will release flight schedules are different,” she said.

The airline also recently added to its fleet a CRJ 100 jet that has been in operation since September 1st last year.  The CRJs are 50 seater all economy jets, it operates along side the larger MD 87s.

Air Uganda’s current destinations from Entebbe include Nairobi, Juba, Dar-es Salaam, Zanzibar and Mombasa.

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