Kigali hasn’t been included in the first seven routes Uganda Airlines new CRJ 900 Bombardier will ply as it commences operational in July this year.
On Monday, the Airline administration announced that it had secured seven routes which include Nairobi, Juba, Bujumbura, Dar el-Salam, Mombasa, Mogadishu and Kilimanjaro.
This was disclosed by Jennifer Bamutiraki, the commercial director Uganda Airlines during the media inspection of the aircraft which returned back home following several regional test flights.
It remains unknown why Kigali was not included in the first routes.
Uganda and Rwanda have in the recent past developed frosty diplomatic relations after the latter accused the former of hosting dissidents who are planning to overthrow Kigali establishment.
Rwanda’s Paul Kagame has since ordered closure of the border and also barred Rwandans from travelling to Uganda.
Uganda on the other hand has kept silent most of the time of the claims until President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni explained that some elements from Kigali were working to destabilize government of Uganda.
About CRJ 900 Jets
The two CRJ 900 aircrafts arrived on April 23, and were received by President Museveni at Entebbe Airport.
This signaled the official revival of Uganda’s national carrier, which was grounded in 2001.
The Bombardier CRJ900 hit the skies for the first test flight at Montreal Mirabel International Airport, Canada before flying to Uganda.
Last year, Uganda ordered for four CRJ900 regional jets as part of the much-anticipated plan for the revival of Uganda Airlines. The revived airline will be the first carrier to operate the new CRJ-series atmosphere cabin in Africa.
Atmosphere cabin design allows passengers to carry and store an “oversized” roller bag within the aircraft cabin bins, which minimizes the need to check bags at the counter or the gate.
Government paid Shillings 280 billion for the first two planes through a supplementary budget approval by Parliament. The Uganda National Airlines Company will operate the CRJ900 in dual-class configuration with 76 economy seats and 12 first class seats.
According to the manufacturer, the new model atmosphere cabin sets new standards of passenger experience in the regional jet market segment.
Key features of the new interior comprise of larger passenger living space, wheel-first roller bag capability, more spacious lavatory, increased cabin connectivity options, all integrated into a contemporary design and material choices.