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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Civil Aviation Authority-CAA is considering awarding ground handling services at Entebbe International Airport to Uganda National Airlines, the national carrier.
Government through the Works and Transport Ministry received two bombardier CRJ 900 planes on April 23rd as part of the initiative to revive the national carrier.
The planes are expected to conduct regional flights pending the arrival of more planes by 2021 to start international flights.
Following the arrival of the bombardiers, several stakeholders we heard asking CAA to hand over ground handling services to the national carrier if it is to survive in the stiff flight industry.
Ground handling services covers all the services an aircraft needs during the time it is on the ground. These include fueling, loading and offloading cargo.
Some of the equipment needed for ground handling services include dollies, chocks, aircraft tripod jack, aircraft service stairs, refuelers, tugs and tractors.
Currently, ground handling services at Entebbe airport are offered by NAS and DAS handling services. The contracts of both companies run up to 2040.
David Kakuba Mpango, the Director General Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, says the National airline has an option of conducting self-ground handling services.
Benon Kajuna, the Director Transport in the Works and Transport Ministry, says ground handling services being a capital intensive investment, will be handled by NAS on behalf of Uganda National Airlines until the company purchases its own equipment.
Kajuna says the purchase of the equipment will help the company to maximize profits since they will be able to handle services that add value to the airline.
Vianney Luggya, the Public Affairs Manager Civil Aviation Authority, says ground handling is one of the services that an airline needs if it is to operate efficiently since it involves loading, offloading, safety and boarding of passengers in transit from one airport to another.
It is still uncertain when Uganda National Airlines will conduct its maiden commercial flight.
The company was expected to start its first commercial flight in July but the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, Ephraim Bagenda, says they are yet to secure the Air Operator Certificate- AOC.
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