Ruth Haines
Entebbe International Airport is Uganda's only international airport. It is located about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) southwest of the town of Entebbe, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The airport has seen a range of events, from the 1976 hijacking of Air France Flight 139, to the introduction of new routes and airlines in recent years. The airport offers ground handling services, car hire, and taxi services, and has a VIP lounge for government officials and diplomats. With increasing annual passenger traffic, Entebbe International Airport continues to play a significant role in Uganda's aviation industry and connectivity to the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern shores of Lake Victoria, 6 kilometres southwest of the town of Entebbe, Uganda |
| IATA code | EBB |
| ICAO code | HUEN |
| History | Commissioned in 1951 in the presence of the Queen of England; the airport's facilities were extended before its reopening on 10 November 1951 |
| Airlines | Uganda Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Air Arabia, DAS Air Cargo, Aerolift, Dynacorp, Saudi Arabia Airlines, Air France |
| Incidents | Hijacking of Air France Flight 139 in 1976, crash of DAS Air Cargo McDonnell Douglas DC-10 in 2000, crash of Aerolift Ilyushin Il-76 in 2009 |
| Security Concerns | The US warned its citizens in Uganda about a potential terror attack at the airport |
| Ground Handling Companies | Menzies Aviation Uganda, DAS Handling Limited, Fresh Handling Limited, Uganda Airlines Ground Handling |
| Transportation | Taxi, commuter bus, car hire, public transport |
| Facilities | VIP lounge, Forex Bureau, car parking, tour and travel agents, Quick-Wrap-Fly baggage service |
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What You'll Learn
- Uganda Airlines to launch services to Europe, the Middle East, and Abuja, Nigeria
- The US warns of a possible terror attack at Entebbe Airport
- China denies reports it could take control of Entebbe Airport
- Air France Flight 139 from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked and taken to Entebbe in 1976
- Sri Lankan Airlines operates three successive cargo charter flights to Entebbe
Uganda Airlines to launch services to Europe, the Middle East, and Abuja, Nigeria
Uganda Airlines has announced that it will be expanding its services to include flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Abuja in Nigeria. The airline currently has approval to operate flights to London Gatwick Airport and plans to add this route later in the year. In addition, Uganda Airlines has launched services to Abuja, Nigeria, with the inaugural flight departing Entebbe International Airport on 12 September 2024.
The airline's CEO, Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki, stated that the expansion is a well-thought-out strategic plan, aiming to bridge geographical gaps and connect East to West, North and South Africa. This move is part of the airline's 10-year rolling plan, which includes enhancing regional connectivity and tapping into underserved aviation markets.
The addition of Abuja as a destination is significant as it is the capital of Nigeria and one of the largest economies in Africa. This new route will improve connectivity to the north and central parts of the country, facilitating business, trade, and investment. Abuja is also an important hub for bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Uganda, and the new flight will reduce travel times and costs, strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
Uganda Airlines has also stated its intention to expand its network in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East over the next ten years. The airline currently operates 19 flights per day, contributing to 20% of the traffic at Entebbe Airport, and has destinations including Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Bujumbura, Johannesburg, Dubai, Zanzibar, Lagos, Kinshasa, Mumbai, Mogadishu, Juba, and Kilimanjaro.
The airline's expansion plans include the recent purchase of six new jets, with two wide-body, long-range A330-800s and four CRJ900 aircraft. This expansion is supported by agreements with Rolls-Royce Limited and Airbus for engine maintenance and after-sales support, respectively.
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The US warns of a possible terror attack at Entebbe Airport
The US has warned its citizens in Uganda of a possible terror attack at Entebbe International Airport. In a message on the US Embassy website, the US warned of a "specific threat" of an attack within hours. Entebbe Airport is Uganda's only international airport and is located about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) southwest of the town of Entebbe, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The airport is approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) by road southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital city.
The US Embassy did not provide specific details about the nature of the threat but advised its citizens to exercise caution when travelling to and from the airport. Entebbe Airport has a history of aviation incidents, including a hijacking in 1976 and several plane crashes. In recent years, the airport has seen increasing international passenger traffic and the expansion of its routes. In 2021, Sri Lankan Airlines operated three successive cargo charter flights to Entebbe, sparking controversy due to the confidential nature of the cargo, which was later revealed to be Ugandan currency notes.
The airport offers ground handling services through four companies, including Menzies Aviation Uganda and DAS Handling Limited, which has acquired EU ground handling certification. Several airlines, including Uganda Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Air Arabia, offer passenger services to and from Entebbe, with connections to destinations such as London Heathrow, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Abuja. The airport also provides facilities such as a VIP lounge for government officials and a Forex Bureau for travellers.
In response to the US warning, it is advisable for travellers passing through Entebbe International Airport to remain vigilant and follow any additional security protocols implemented by the airport and local authorities. It is essential to stay informed about the latest travel advisories and security updates to ensure a safe journey.
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China denies reports it could take control of Entebbe Airport
Uganda's only international airport, Entebbe International Airport, has been at the centre of controversy following reports that China could take control of it if the Ugandan government defaults on a $200 million loan from Beijing. The loan, signed in 2015 with the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China, was intended to expand and upgrade the airport. However, allegations of a potential takeover have sparked concerns and denials from both the Ugandan and Chinese governments.
The Daily Monitor newspaper reported that Uganda could surrender the airport if it defaulted on the loan, causing a stir in Uganda. Social media users shared photoshopped images of the Chinese flag flying over the airport and a mock banner reading "Welcome to China Entebbe International Airport". These reports have been vehemently denied by both the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority and the Chinese government.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Kampala refuted the claims, stating that the allegations are "malicious" and intended to distort the good relations between China and developing countries, including Uganda. The embassy spokesman also highlighted that China has never confiscated any projects in Africa due to loan defaults. Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority echoed these sentiments, asserting that the government could not surrender a national asset in such a manner.
The controversy surrounding Entebbe International Airport underscores the broader concerns about China's "debt trap" diplomacy, where developing nations are offered loans with terms that allow for the takeover of assets in case of default. While China has denied engaging in such practices, the perception of a "debt trap" has fuelled debates and discussions about the implications for borrower countries.
The expansion of Entebbe International Airport is being carried out by the state-owned China Communications Construction Company and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. Beijing has faced criticism for lending substantial amounts to poor countries without thoroughly assessing their ability to repay, particularly with regards to its vast loans to cash-strapped African states.
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Air France Flight 139 from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked and taken to Entebbe in 1976
On June 27, 1976, Air France Flight 139, an Airbus A300 jet airliner with 248 passengers and 12 crew, took off from Tel Aviv for Paris, with a stop in Athens. About eight minutes after takeoff from Athens, Captain Michel Bacos heard screams. The plane had been hijacked by four terrorists: two from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (one source mentions the PFLP-EO) and two from the Baader-Meinhof Gang, a radical German group. One hijacker kept a gun against Captain Bacos's head for the duration of the flight.
The hijackers forced Captain Bacos to fly to Benghazi, Libya, then ruled by Muammar Gaddafi. The jet was refuelled in Benghazi, and the hijackers then directed Captain Bacos to fly on to Entebbe Airport, in Idi Amin's Uganda. The plane arrived at Entebbe International Airport on June 28, 1976, and the four hijackers were joined by at least four others, supported by the forces of Uganda's president, Idi Amin.
The hijackers separated the roughly 100 Jewish and Israeli hostages from the rest of the captives, and the non-Jewish passengers were allowed to leave. The hijackers demanded that 53 captives imprisoned in Israel and other countries be released, along with a ransom of $5 million for the release of the airplane. They threatened to begin killing hostages on July 1, 1976, if their demands were not met.
On July 4, 1976, Israeli commandos launched Operation Entebbe (officially codenamed Operation Thunderbolt, and later also Operation Yonatan), a counter-terrorist mission, to rescue the hostages. Four transport aircraft carrying more than 200 soldiers flew from Sharm el-Sheikh to Entebbe. The raid lasted less than 90 minutes, and almost all the hostages were rescued. Three hostages were killed during the raid, including the Israeli commander, Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu, brother of Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Sri Lankan Airlines operates three successive cargo charter flights to Entebbe
Entebbe International Airport is the only international airport in Uganda. It is located about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) southwest of the town of Entebbe, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The airport was opened by the British Colonial authorities, who decided that the most optimal location for aviation traffic was Entebbe due to its location on Lake Victoria and the existing facilities.
In April 2021, Sri Lankan Airlines claimed on Twitter that it had made history by operating three successive cargo charter flights to Entebbe International Airport, transporting over 102 metric tonnes of printed material, which was later clarified to be Ugandan currency. The airline later deleted the tweet, sparking doubts about its transparency and speculations about the nature of the cargo.
Sri Lankan Airlines is the flag carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the Oneworld airline alliance. It operates over 560 flights per week across Asia and has won awards for its inflight food and beverage innovation. In 2021, during the pandemic, the airline's underutilised aircraft were chartered by a UK-based freight forwarder to operate cargo flights to Entebbe.
The transactions between Sri Lanka and Uganda have raised concerns in both countries, particularly regarding the financial and monetary security implications. Uganda's financial industry is at risk of being blacklisted by international systems for its failure to implement effective measures to prevent financial crimes such as money laundering.
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Frequently asked questions
Entebbe International Airport is the only international airport in Uganda. It is located about 6 kilometres southwest of the town of Entebbe, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria.
You can hire a self-driven or chauffeur-driven car on arrival at Entebbe Airport or hire a taxi to Kampala, which costs US $40 or 100,000 Uganda Shillings. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Public transport is also readily available and costs approximately half a dollar or 2000 Uganda Shillings.
Entebbe Airport has a VIP lounge for government officials and the diplomatic community, a Forex Bureau, and a Quick-Wrap-Fly service at the check-in area for a fee of 30 US Dollars or 110,000 Uganda Shillings per wrapping.
In 1976, Air France Flight 139 from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked and taken to Entebbe, with Israeli commandos rescuing the hostages in Operation Entebbe. On 30 April 2000, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 operated by DAS Air Cargo overran the runway on landing, with all 7 people on board surviving. On 9 March 2009, an Aerolift Ilyushin Il-76 crashed into Lake Victoria just after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 11 people on board.
Entebbe Airport has been in the news recently due to a warning issued by the United States about a potential terror attack. Uganda Airlines is also expanding its services, with plans to launch long-haul flights to Europe and the Middle East, including a new Brussels-Frankfurt connection.
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