Featured Airport: Entebbe International

Entebbe International Airport (EIA) is the principal international airport and gateway to Uganda.

Located near the shores of Lake Victoria, and about 35km from the capital Kampala, the airport 280510-entebbe2handled some 959,256 passengers in 2008 and Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is currently rolling out a 20-year master plan aimed at enhancing efficiency, safety and capacity at the gateway.

These include an expanded arrivals hall, the installation of two state-of-the-art baggage conveyor belts and a refurbished the departures concourse.

Other completed projects include installation of two passenger boarding bridges, an escalator at the terminal, security watch towers to enhance surveillance and a new aircraft parking apron able to accommodate 20 medium-sized jets.

Fast Facts about Entebbe International Airport

  • Entebbe International Airport is 35kms from the capital city, Kampala
  • EIA is situated on a peninsular bordered by Africa's biggest fresh water lake - Lake Victoria
  • The airport lies just micro degrees north of the equator.
  • Its coordinates are - 0002 '26''93N, 32026'25.95E, it is situated at an altitude of 3782ft and its main runway (17/35) is 3658 metres long.
  • Uganda is a landlocked country. Air transport is therefore of strategic importance to the nation as it guarantees a gateway to the rest of the world.

The CAA of Uganda Network

The hub of aviation services in Uganda is Entebbe International Airport with a string of up country aerodromes at Arua, Gulu, Kidepo, Kasese, Kisoro, Masindi, Mbarara, Moroto, Pakuba, Soroti, and Tororo. The national network is backed up by smaller, privately operated aerodromes in various parts of the country.

New Airlines to commence or increase service into EIA since 2008

  • Brussels Airlines - Brussels (new service)
  • Fly540 - Nairobi (new service)
  • Turkish Airlines - Istanbul Ataturk (new service)
  • British Airways - London (increased service three to a five weekly)

2008: 131 weekly flights v 2010: 169 weekly flights.

(Source: Flightbase June 14-20)

This week has also seen the announcement that Virgin Atlantic CEO Richard Branson is continuing to evaluate possible new African destinations following the recent launch of their three weekly Heathrow and Accra, with Uganda topping his wish list.

The Future of Entebbe International Airport

In step with traffic projections made by the master plan review, a number of projects under the long-term phase are on course for implementation. These include a cargo complex, ferry port and a commercial centre at Entebbe International Airport.

Contact Entebbe's Route Development Team

Visit Entebbe's online marketing profile to learn more, or connect with their route development team.

Richard Maslen

Richard Maslen has travelled across the globe to report on developments in the aviation sector as airlines and airports have continued to evolve and…