Arasus Aviation Limited, a newly established airline, is seeking approval from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) to begin operating domestic air services in Uganda.
The airline made its case before a seven-member UCAA board chaired by retired deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma.
John Bulungu, the corporate secretary for Arasus Aviation Limited, told the board that the company, which was incorporated in April 2022, aims to offer both scheduled and non-scheduled cargo and passenger flights.
“Our vision is to provide safe, reliable air transport and tap into the domestic and regional markets,” Bulungu explained.
The airline plans to operate routes from Entebbe Airport to various destinations, including Kasese, Kihihi, Mbarara, Arua, and Jinja.
Targeting primarily business travelers and tourists, Arasus Aviation aims to reduce the cost of air travel across the country.
“We believe there is a market for affordable and efficient air transport. Our strategy is based on a market survey indicating strong demand,” Bulungu said.
He also emphasized the airline’s potential to contribute to the local economy by generating income and creating employment opportunities for Ugandans.
“We hope to employ between 30 to 40 Ugandans within three years, with a team that currently includes four engineers, four pilots, and several non-technical staff.”
The public hearing also saw three other airlines—Misk Air Limited, Air SERV Limited, and Premier Services East Africa Limited—seeking to renew their licenses to continue operating air services in Uganda.
Justice Steven Kavuma, UCAA board chairperson, praised the efforts of the airlines to engage young people in the aviation industry.
“I am pleased to see air service providers inspiring the next generation in aviation,” Kavuma noted. He added that 26 Ugandan-licensed air operators currently provide scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services, as well as private, training, and aerial work services.
Uganda has established Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with 56 countries, enabling 16 international airlines to operate scheduled services to and from Entebbe International Airport.
The national carrier, Uganda Airlines, currently serves 13 destinations, including Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Bujumbura, Kinshasa, Mogadishu, Lagos, and Mumbai.
The UCAA board will now scrutinize the applications from Arasus Aviation and other airlines, with the technical committee also set to review their submissions.
“We remain committed to supporting the growth and development of Uganda’s aviation industry,” Kavuma emphasize
