ACCRA, GHANA | By Samuel Ssenono
Ghana has granted Uganda Airlines fifth freedom traffic rights, allowing the national carrier to transport passengers and cargo between Lagos, Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana, as part of its Entebbe-Lagos-Accra service.
Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake confirmed the approval during the official reception of the airline’s inaugural flight at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
The airline has commenced four weekly flights to Accra via Lagos, using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with plans to gradually increase frequencies to daily and potentially twice-daily operations as passenger demand grows.
Speaking at the reception, Wake thanked the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for supporting the airline’s entry into the Ghanaian market and approving the fifth freedom traffic rights.
“We first of all thank the Ghana Civil Aviation for offering us all the support required, for giving us fifth freedom traffic between Accra and Lagos.” Wake said.
Under international aviation agreements, fifth freedom traffic rights permit an airline to carry revenue passengers and cargo between two foreign countries on a service that originates or terminates in its home country, subject to the necessary approvals from the countries concerned.
For Uganda Airlines, the approval could eventually allow the airline to sell tickets specifically for travel between Lagos and Accra, rather than carrying only passengers travelling to or from Entebbe on that sector.
The arrangement could help attract additional passengers, improve aircraft utilisation and strengthen the commercial performance of its West African operations.
Wake said Accra was part of a broader strategy to improve air connectivity between East and West Africa, with opportunities to develop onward connections through partnerships with other African airlines.
“We’re Coming to Ghana for the first time, but definitely we will continue. Not four times a week, gradually to daily and, if possible, why not double daily?” he said.
The CEO noted that passenger traffic between African regions offered opportunities for cooperation among carriers, particularly in developing connecting services beyond their existing networks.
He said partnerships with airlines operating further into West Africa could help bring additional passengers onto the Uganda Airlines network while providing travellers with more options through Entebbe.
Ghana Airports Company Limited welcomed the new service, saying Uganda Airlines’ entry would increase competition and passenger choice while strengthening Accra’s position as a regional aviation gateway.
The airport operator noted that Ghana already receives services from several East African airlines, including carriers from Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya.
It pledged continued support for Uganda Airlines in passenger facilitation, operational efficiency and on-time performance, while encouraging the airline to maintain high standards of aviation safety, security and customer service.
Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama said the new service would substantially reduce travel time between Uganda and Ghana.
He explained that passengers previously relied on connecting flights through other countries, with journeys taking between seven and ten hours depending on transit arrangements.
With the new service, he said, passengers could complete the journey in approximately five hours, reducing the inconvenience associated with lengthy connections.
Byamukama said the improved air link would also support tourism and trade, encouraging Ghanaian travellers to visit Uganda and explore its tourism attractions.
He thanked Ghanaian authorities for facilitating the airline’s operations and acknowledged the country’s visa arrangements for Ugandan travellers.
Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, welcomed Uganda Airlines’ entry into the market, saying improved air connections between African countries were essential to strengthening trade and passenger movement across the continent.
Nikpe said African governments needed to reduce dependence on lengthy transit routes and develop aviation infrastructure capable of supporting greater movement between regional markets.
He also called on airlines to make air travel more affordable, warning that improved connectivity would have limited benefits if ticket prices remained beyond the reach of many African travellers.
The minister said Ghana was investing in airport infrastructure and working towards restoring a national airline following the collapse of Ghana Airways.
According to Nikpe, a presidential task force established to examine the proposed national carrier was nearing completion of its work.
He assured Uganda Airlines of continued cooperation from Ghana’s Ministry of Transport, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Airports Company Limited.
