UCAA Posts Sharp Growth in Air Traffic at Entebbe Airport in 2024
Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, the Director General at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has emphasized the importance of continued investment and stakeholder collaboration in the industry.
Bamwesigye says a progressive record of performance at Entebbe is good momentum to maintain adding that “The aviation sector is crucial to Uganda’s economic recovery and development.”Air Traffic at Entebbe International Airport Shows Strong Growth in 2024.
He was speaking at a Stakeholders’ Engagement Breakfast held yesterday in Kampala.A report presented highlighted significant growth in passenger and cargo volumes at Entebbe International Airport, signaling a robust recovery and expansion in Uganda’s aviation sector.
Passenger Traffic SurgesInternational passenger traffic rose significantly, with 2,243,104 passengers handled in 2024, a 16.1% increase from 2023. This growth surpassed pre-COVID levels recorded in 2019, driven by increased tourism, new international routes, and the resumption of global conferences.
Disembarking international passengers grew by 17.18%, while embarking passengers increased by 15.04%. Domestic passenger traffic remained stable, recording 22,795 passengers in 2024, slightly below the 2023 figure of 23,019.Cargo Traffic RecoversCargo volumes also saw significant improvement, with exports rising by 9.66% to 44,865 tons and imports increasing by 22.42% to 22,233 tons in 2024.
This resurgence reflects a stable economic environment and heightened international trade activity.The expansion of Uganda Airlines’ operations, international tourism promotion, and high-profile events like the NAM/G77+China Summit significantly contributed to the uptick in air traffic.
Future OutlookOngoing upgrades at Entebbe International Airport, including the expansion of the passenger terminal to increase capacity from 2 million to 3.5 million passengers annually, are expected to sustain this growth trajectory.
The terminal is slated for completion by June 2025.This performance underscores Uganda’s growing prominence as a hub for regional and international air traffic, with further growth anticipated in the coming years.
