US-based global major aerospace group Boeing has announced that Uganda Airlines, the flag-carrier for the East African country, had placed an order for eight of the airframer’s airliners. This was the first time the airline, founded in 2019, had ordered Boeing aircraft. The order was split into four 787-9 widebody and four 737-8 (previously known as the 737 MAX 8) single-aisle aircraft. The order was announced on Tuesday at the Farnborough International Air Show, in the UK.

"We're pleased to welcome Uganda Airlines as a Boeing customer and support the airline's next phase of growth with the 737-8 and 787-9," highlighted Boeing commercial sales and marketing senior VP Brad McMullen. "These airplanes offer efficiency, range and versatility to help Uganda Airlines strengthen and expand its network."

With its hub at Entebbe, Uganda Airlines currently flies to 17 destinations in 13 countries. The new aircraft will allow the carrier to increase the number of its destinations.

"This commitment with Boeing marks a defining step in Uganda Airlines' growth journey and in our broader ambition to position Entebbe as a strategic aviation hub for the region," affirmed Uganda Airlines CEO Ato Girma Wake. "The aircraft will strengthen our ability to connect Uganda more efficiently to regional, continental and international markets, while supporting trade, tourism, investment and cargo development."

The 787-9 Dreamliner has a range of up to 15 370 km, and will support the airline’s long-haul and high-demand routes to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The 737-8 can carry, in a two-class cabin configuration, between 160 and 180 passengers and has a range of up to 6 480 km. The 737-8s will serve on the carrier’s intra-African routes. Together, the two types will also cut the carrier’s fuel consumption by 20% to 25%, compared with the aircraft that they will replace.

"Just as importantly, this partnership brings together Uganda Airlines and Boeing in a long-term relationship focused not only on fleet growth, but also on technical excellence, training and capacity building," pointed out Wake. "We are proud to celebrate this milestone at Farnborough as we invest in the future of our national carrier and in Uganda's economic transformation."