en.Wedoany.com Reported - Uganda Airlines has recently received the first of two Boeing 737-800s wet-leased from Ethiopian Airlines to stabilize flight operations that have been disrupted for months due to the grounding of its long-haul aircraft. The first aircraft, registered ET-APL, arrived at Entebbe Airport on May 12. Under the wet-lease agreement, Ethiopian Airlines will provide crew, maintenance, and insurance for the leased aircraft.

Earlier this year, engine-related maintenance issues temporarily grounded Uganda Airlines' two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft, severely disrupting its international route network. The airline's fleet consists of only seven aircraft, including two A330-800neos, one Airbus A320-200, and four Bombardier CRJ-900s, offering limited operational resilience. One A330neo, registered 5X-CRN, was grounded in January due to engine maintenance and was originally expected to return to service within 12 to 14 weeks, but as of reporting, it remains parked at Entebbe. The second A330neo (registered 5X-NIL) was subsequently grounded after a borescope inspection revealed cracks in the engine blades.

The wet-leased Boeing 737-800 is expected to operate high-frequency regional routes such as Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kinshasa, and Lagos. An airline official stated: "The additional capacity will be specifically targeted at busy routes like Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Lagos, where we have seen sustained growth." Previously, in March, Uganda Airlines signed another agreement to wet-lease an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-8 for long-haul routes to London Gatwick and Mumbai. Since then, one A330neo has resumed operations, allowing Uganda Airlines to gradually restore some long-haul services. Girma Wake, the former Chairman who led Ethiopian Airlines Group from 2022 to 2023, has since been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer and advisor of Uganda Airlines.

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