22 NEW VISION, Tuesday, April 23, 2019 ADVERTISER SUPPLEMENT A FUNCTIONAL NATIONAL AIRLINE HAS POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE THE BALANCE OF TRADE By Owen Wagabaza Current prices are averaging n 2016, during the $330 for economy class on this Independence Day Why was it important to route, after commencement of celebrations in Kiyunga, operations by RwandAir. Luuka district, President This demonstrates the Yoweri Museveni competitive power of having a announced the revival strong local airline to ensure a of Uganda Airlines after level playing field and proper I15 years on the sidelines. pricing for the consumer. According to Dr Joseph revive Uganda Airlines? The drop of air fares to Muvawala, the executive and from Entebbe will lead director of the National to significant savings for Planning Authority, the airline passengers. There will be a is in line with Uganda’s Vision reduction of dominance of 2040, which sets the long-term foreign operators, which bears aspirations of transforming unfair influence on the cost of Uganda from predominantly air travel. peasant to a modern and There will also be a balance prosperous country within 30 of aviation opportunities years. arising from mutually beneficial The idea was formulated in bilateral agreements and the First National Development benefits only attributable to Plan and the Second National national airlines. Development Plan where the Currently, only foreign airline is highlighted as one of airlines benefit from Uganda’s the flagship projects expected aviation market with revenue to drive Uganda towards and profits repatriated to home its medium to long-term countries. development goals. Uganda Airlines will create “The decision to revive the employment and offer citizens airline was based on Uganda’s the opportunity to develop past aviation experience, as The Bombardier Uganda Airlines plane after the signing ceremony last week in Mirabel, Canada careers and participate in an well as lessons from the success essential and growing aviation and failure of airlines globally,” requirement to establish air Implementation Taskforce, any locally based airline and averaging about $150 by the industry worldwide. Muvawala explains. transport infrastructure to meet Uganda Airline will also foreign airlines were charging time of closure of Air Uganda The absence of a national the growing demand for air stimulate growth, create an average of $420 for flights in 2014. airline limits opportunities for Aviation history transport,” reads the document. employment and revenue on the Entebbe-Nairobi route. When Air Uganda was closed, Ugandans to develop careers Uganda’s aviation history spans According to the plan, the generation for the government. After Air Uganda started prices immediately shot up and benefit from the global from 1943 with the formation of revival of the national airline is “The air transport industry operations in 2007, prices went averaging about $500-$700 on rapidly growing revenues in the the East African Airways from an infrastructure development has a substantial economic down to as low as $182 and the same route. aviation sector. the former Wilson Airways that that will have tremendous impact, both through its own collapsed with the East African impact on the economy of activities and as an enabler of Community and the imposition Uganda. other industries. Of the five of the economic embargo in million direct jobs generated 1975/6. Impact by the air transport industry The first national carrier for Among the expected impacts worldwide, 4.3 million people Uganda, Uganda Airlines, was is promotion of tourism by are employed by the airlines formed with an airline fleet of offering connectivity to and and airports (aviation sector) 15 aircraft linking the country to from source markets abroad. globally, contributing about Africa, Europe and Middle East. The connectivity provided $275b of GDP to the global However, the airline suffered by international air transport economy,” Muleya says. financial difficulties and in May facilitates the fast-growing He also highlights the 2001, it was liquidated after global tourism industry. promotion of exports through years of losses. “It is estimated that over half the facilitation of access of There have been numerous of international tourists globally goods to international markets. unsuccessful attempts to travel to their destinations by According to Muleya, one of The Uganda Development Corporation would like to congratulate establish a local-based air. Uganda’s tourism potential air transport’s most important the Ministry of Works and Transport and all Partners that have airline including attempts will be boosted by the national economic benefits is its effect by Africa One, East African airline’s services and promotion on international trade, which worked tirelessly to ensure the revival of the Uganda Airlines. Airlines, Alliance Air, Victoria of brand “Uganda” through plays a key role in promoting Uganda will officially receive the first Uganda Airlines Bombardier Jetliner International Airlines and Air its marketing power, travel economic growth in countries in CRJ900 on 23rd April, 2019 and its arrival will mark the official revival of Uganda Uganda among others. connections and visibility different stages of development. Airlines, the national flag carrier. “These airlines failed due internationally,” the NBAIP “Air transport is an important to under-capitalisation, old notes. trade facilitator. It increases This is a significant milestone in the journey of an airline that will transmute into a globally competitive aviation line. We wish the Uganda Airlines continued technology aircraft, political Cornwell Muleya, the the global reach of companies, success as it spreads its wings and soars to new heights. interference, lack of route rights, technical advisor to the enables them to get products to poor management and lack of Presidential National Airline market more quickly and allows appreciation of value addition them to be more responsive to the airline,” Muvawala says. to customer needs, thereby contributing to improved living It will spur development UGANDA standards,” he says. According to the National Business Airline and AIRLINES Balance of trade Implementation Plan (NBAIP), There will also be an a document that present a WILL CREATE improvement in the balance detailed case and final review EMPLOYMENT of trade. A functional national of the viability of establishing airline has the potential to a national airline with a hub at AND OFFER improve the balance of trade by Entebbe International Airport, saving and generating foreign the airline will enhance the CITIZENS THE exchange directly and indirectly country’s competitiveness by OPPORTUNITY through foreign exchange reducing the cost of air transport premium savings and spin-off Plot 23, Lumumba Avenue, Kampala and easing connectivity to and activities. Soliz House, 5th Floor TO DEVELOP P. O. Box 7042, Kampala, Uganda from Uganda. According to the NBAIP, the M +256 770 123 456 “It will support faster CAREERS IN airline is expected to reduce W www.udc.go.ug E [email protected] harnessing of opportunities the cost of air transport. Before in the economy and fulfill the AVIATION 2007, Uganda did not have .