Qatar Airways Expands Flight Services to Entebbe

Qatar Airways has increased its flight frequency to Entebbe International Airport by an additional three flights per week to meet the summer demand. From August 1 to September 30, the carrier will operate 11 weekly flights between Doha and Entebbe.

This expansion is part of Qatar Airways’ strategy to enhance air connectivity across Africa, fostering stronger economic, business, and cultural ties.

Hendrik du Preez, Qatar Airways Vice President for Africa, stated, “The increased frequency guarantees improved connectivity for passengers travelling from Uganda to the USA, Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It also supports the growth of trade and tourism between Uganda and Qatar while offering convenience for point-to-point passengers, saving a day’s travel due to the early arrival in Doha.”

Du Preez added, “With 18 per cent of the world’s population and less than two per cent of air transport activity, Africa is an untapped market with increasing travel and business opportunities. We are expanding connectivity throughout the continent by increasing the number of destinations we serve and the frequencies we offer, and through partnerships with African airlines.”

The increase in Entebbe flights signifies Qatar Airways’ commitment to the Ugandan market and is expected to boost Uganda's exports.

This development follows the introduction of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), into Qatar Airways’ network of over 170 global destinations. Kinshasa is now served with four weekly flights, which have also increased capacity to Angola, with flights to Luanda rising from one to four per week.

Since December 2020, Qatar Airways has added several African destinations, including Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt. The airline has also resumed flights to Alexandria and Cairo.

Currently, Qatar Airways offers 180 flights per week to various African destinations, expanding to over 900 weekly flights when including codeshare partners. With 30 interline agreements and strategic investment in Kigali’s new international airport, Qatar Airways demonstrates its long-term commitment to Africa and the growth of air travel and infrastructure on the continent.

Over the past year, Qatar Airways has optimised its schedule in most African markets to improve connectivity to Europe, China, and the Indian subcontinent via its award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the aviation industry supports 7.7 million jobs in Africa and contributes $63 billion to the continent’s GDP, with $44 billion generated by tourism. IATA forecasts that Africa’s passenger traffic will nearly double by 2035, exceeding 263 million passengers, up from 134 million in 2022.

Du Preez concluded, “Qatar Airways’ rapid expansion in Africa, its partnerships, and continued pursuit of opportunities position it well to contribute to this growth.”