Transport Minister welcomes Uganda Airlines’ inaugural flight to Ghana

Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has welcomed the launch of Uganda Airlines’ operations in Ghana, describing the new service as a positive development for the country’s aviation industry and its efforts to strengthen connectivity across Africa.

The Ugandan national carrier began operating at Accra International Airport on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, introducing a four-times-weekly service connecting Entebbe in Uganda to Accra through Lagos, Nigeria.

The new route expands Uganda Airlines’ African network and provides passengers with another travel option between East and West Africa, with expectations of supporting trade, tourism, business travel and broader economic cooperation.

Speaking at the inaugural flight ceremony, Mr Nikpe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in aviation infrastructure to improve connectivity and strengthen Ghana’s position as a destination for international travel.

The Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, said Uganda Airlines’ entry into the Ghanaian market reflected the country’s growing appeal to aviation investors.

She described the launch as an important development in relations between Ghana and Uganda, noting that the new service could deliver benefits beyond passenger transportation.

“The arrival of Uganda Airlines in Ghana represents a significant milestone in the growing relationship between the two countries. Beyond expanding travel options for passengers, this new service is expected to enhance connectivity, stimulate tourism and culture, facilitate trade and strengthen economic cooperation between Ghana and Uganda,” she said.

The addition of Uganda Airlines gives travellers another option for journeys between the two countries and could improve access for businesspeople, tourists and other passengers travelling between the regions.

Uganda Airlines’ new service will operate four times a week, with flights stopping in Lagos before continuing to Accra rather than operating directly between Entebbe and Ghana’s capital.

The service is expected to improve access between the three cities and offer an additional connection for passengers travelling for business, tourism and other purposes.

Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Girma Wake said the Ghana operation would strengthen air links between East and West Africa and make travel between the regions more accessible.

The service will use a Boeing 737-800 wet-leased from Ethiopian Airlines.

Under a wet-lease arrangement, the aircraft is provided with its crew, maintenance and insurance by the leasing airline. Such arrangements allow carriers to introduce or expand services without immediately adding aircraft to their own fleets.

The launch introduces another option into a market where passengers travelling between Ghana and Uganda often rely on connections through other African aviation hubs, including Nairobi and Addis Ababa.

The additional service could widen passenger choice and potentially increase competition among airlines serving routes between East and West Africa.

However, the effect on ticket prices will depend on factors such as passenger demand, operating costs, available capacity and the pricing decisions of competing airlines.

For travellers, the new connection could also offer greater flexibility when planning journeys between Entebbe, Lagos and Accra.

The new service is expected to support commercial relationships between Ghana and Uganda by making travel between the countries more accessible.

Improved air connectivity can help businesses arrange meetings, develop partnerships and explore opportunities in new markets. It can also make it easier for tourists to visit destinations across the two countries.

The route could benefit sectors that depend on reliable international connections, including hospitality, trade, professional services and tourism.

The service also comes amid wider efforts to improve air connectivity across Africa, where limited direct links between countries can make regional travel more expensive or time-consuming.

For Uganda Airlines, the Accra service forms part of its broader effort to expand its regional network and strengthen Entebbe’s role as a gateway connecting African markets.

The airline’s entry into Ghana adds another link between the continent’s eastern and western regions, where businesses and travellers continue to seek more convenient connections.

The long-term commercial performance of the service will depend on passenger demand, operational reliability and the airline’s ability to sustain the four-times-weekly schedule.

For Ghana, the arrival of the Ugandan carrier represents an additional opportunity to attract aviation investment and deepen economic and cultural ties with other African countries.