With more than 1,000 aircraft ordered (or, more commonly, mentioned in memoranda) at the 2018 iteration of the Farnborough International Airshow there are plenty of orders to consider significant. This year there are just a handful that truly represent a shift in the industry. One of these orders brings a national carrier back to life and also breathes life into a program that desperately needed it. But will it ever take flight? And under what name? Someone in Uganda must answer these questions and more.
An order for two aircraft is rarely big news. But for Uganda (National??) Airlines and Airbus it represents a significant deal on both sides. Some 17 years after Uganda Airlines halted operations owing to financial mismanagement the government is bringing air service back. Six aircraft will be purchased – four CRJ900s and two A330-800s – to build a new hub operation based in Entebbe International Airport and serving both regional and intercontinental destinations. The $400mm project is a significant undertaking and one that is already experiencing some of the quirks of service launch often seen in the region.
The CRJ900s will arrive first, expected to join the operation in late 2018. The carrier will use them to prove its operations and grow into the long-haul operation with the A330s arriving at the end of 2020. Assuming the airline is still solvent and the –800s really exist.
The two frames covered by this MoU (it is not a firm order) are the only two –800s currently on the Airbus books. Hawaiian Airlines previously held an order for six of the type but walked away from the deal. Ultimately the carrier shifted to the 787 for its longhaul fleet refresh, casting further doubt on the future of the –800.
For its part Airbus remains outwardly optimistic, citing the relatively young age of the current A330ceo fleet versus the 757/767s. The framer believes the orders will come along eventually. And the cost differential to develop the –800 is relatively low; nearly all the parts across the two types match.
This agreement demonstrates our ambition for economic growth supported by a robust aviation industry. The A330-800neo combines low operating costs, long range flying capability and high levels of comfort. We are looking forward to launch operations and offer our customers best-in-class service. – Ephraim Bagenda, CEO of Uganda Airlines.
That Uganda Airlines signed with Airbus during the show is not much of a surprise. That the order became –800s is. In May 2018 Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper reported that the new carrier would take the –200 on for its fleet. The –800 brings the same passenger capacity along with a nice boost in range and fuel efficiency. Many airlines that previously focused on the –200 are now considering the –900 as the increased efficiency means the range “penalty” of the larger type no longer exists. And the per flight operating costs are similar enough that the extra passenger or cargo capacity proves useful in most cases. It is unclear what specifically about the –800 proved compelling for Uganda Airlines versus the –900 favored by so many others.
RASTOON
"The national carrier being revived has been registered under a new name to avoid inheriting liabilities of Uganda Airlines." pic.twitter.com/pZ9pfIvtgM— Baby (@AnnClaire_K) July 23, 2018
As for the naming challenges, there appear to be a few issues at play. The government may change the name from Uganda Airlines to Uganda National Airlines in hopes of avoiding debt obligations from the prior iteration. Also, there are reports online that the government no longer owns the rights to the name, having seen it registered to a third party. It is unclear how that will impact the launch of operations.
A quick #UgandaAirlines search on the @URSBHQ online portal shows 4 companies related to #UgandaAirlines. I hope the rumour that the name is owned by private individuals is not true.@RugyendoQuotes @SarahKagingo @FrankTumwebazek @mumakeith @qataharraymond pic.twitter.com/jPh8djbasW
— Muhereza Kyamutetera (@StKyamutetera) July 23, 2018
And so, in a couple years perhaps there will finally be an A330-800neo operating in commercial service. At least we know who is (now) first in a very, very short line.
More from Farnborough 2018
- A route network to beat the airline startup challenges: Moxy begins to take shape
- Best of Farnborough 2018: Embraer’s big win
- Best of Farnborough 2018: Airbus’ little, little(ish) win
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