en.Wedoany.com Reported - Uganda Airlines has resumed its long-haul operations, with one of its two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft returning to service after a grounding. The aircraft, registered as 5X-NIL, operated a flight from Entebbe to Dubai on April 17, 2026, marking the resumption of long-haul passenger services following a maintenance period. Uganda Airlines typically uses its A330-800neo to serve international destinations such as London Gatwick, Dubai, Mumbai, and Lagos. However, the grounding created operational pressure, leading to flight cancellations that affected thousands of passengers.
According to reports, the other aircraft, 5X-CRN, was grounded on January 11 due to engine maintenance, with repairs expected to take 12-14 weeks, and it remains parked in Entebbe. 5X-NIL was grounded in February due to engine blade cracks and resumed service after emergency maintenance. In a statement on April 20, Uganda Airlines confirmed the return of 5X-NIL, stating: "We are pleased to announce that our Airbus A330-800neo 5X-NIL has resumed service. The aircraft successfully operated its first Dubai flight on April 17, 2026, marking a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance capacity on our international network."
During the grounding period, Uganda Airlines faced challenges in maintaining its international network. To sustain its London Gatwick route, it wet-leased a Boeing 787-8 from Ethiopian Airlines. The return of 5X-NIL is a crucial turning point for Uganda Airlines, but the temporary grounding highlighted the vulnerability of operating a long-haul network with just two A330-800neo aircraft. As early as December 2025, 5X-NIL was grounded in Lagos for several days due to technical issues. The groundings in January and February 2026 further damaged public confidence, leading to flight delays and cancellations.
Uganda Airlines was relaunched in 2019, aiming to become a major player in African aviation by launching international routes and ordering the A330-800neo. However, over the past six years, the airline has continued to incur financial losses. Although its total revenue in 2024 increased by 50% due to growth in passenger and cargo traffic, the grounding of the A330-800neo negatively impacted profitability. The A330 fleet crisis coincided with leadership changes. In February 2026, President Yoweri Museveni appointed Gilma Wake, a veteran from Ethiopian Airlines, as the acting CEO to strengthen governance.
The airline is implementing a corporate strategy aimed at achieving operational breakeven by 2027, based on fleet expansion, route optimization, and cost management. Uganda Airlines is finalizing an order with Airbus for four additional narrow-body aircraft. It is also reportedly in talks with Boeing regarding a potential purchase of 787 Dreamliners for future flights to China. The resumption of the A330-800neo service is critical for Uganda Airlines' long-haul operations, helping to stabilize its international network and cargo business.
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