Uganda Airlines has announced its plans to double its crew numbers to accommodate new routes and address flight delays. During a recent press briefing in Munyonyo, Kampala, Mr. David Kaweesa, the Director of Flight Operations at Uganda Airlines, highlighted the need to expand the airline’s crew to meet the demands of regional flights and new routes.
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Currently, the airline operates with 13 pairs of first officers and 13 pairs of captains, which falls short of the required number to support expansion plans. To achieve its flight and revenue targets, Uganda Airlines aims to increase the crew numbers to at least 24 pairs of captains and 24 pairs of first officers.
To adhere to regulatory requirements, the airline has scaled back on some flight numbers for routes such as Nairobi and Juba. These routes have been reduced from three daily flights to two. Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki, the CEO of Uganda Airlines, explained that this adjustment was necessary to ensure that crew members work within the established regulations. She emphasized the importance of having enough captains and first officers to support the addition of new routes.
Ms. Bamuturaki acknowledged that in the past, the airline had faced challenges with flight postponements or cancellations, particularly during busy periods such as December. These delays were primarily due to the need to maintain safe operating margins for crew rest periods. She stated, “While we had the aircraft, we did not have pilots. In order not to compromise safety margins with the available crew roster, we had to sacrifice schedules, which resulted in flight delays or postponements.”
Addressing concerns about crew members being overworked, Mr. Kaweesa dismissed such reports, emphasizing that both regulatory requirements and internal controls prevent crew members from working beyond five consecutive days. He stated, “We have a two-way check-in. I am not allowed to schedule someone out of the legal requirements, and that officer should not accept any illegal duty.”
To address the shortage of crew members, Uganda Airlines has initiated a recruitment process for first captains. However, out of the 67 applicants, only four were successful. Mr. Kaweesa acknowledged the challenges of recruiting captains, as many airlines are competing for a limited pool of qualified candidates. He emphasized the airline’s commitment to thorough interviewing processes to ensure the selection of the right individuals.
Uganda Airlines had previously expressed its intention to launch new routes. However, due to the shortage of personnel, the airline had to delay its scheduled expansions into London, Guangzhou, Jeddah Riyad, Abuja, and Lusaka, for which it already obtained foreign operator permits. The airline is hopeful that it will receive Shsl20b in the upcoming financial year to support its operations. This funding will be crucial in achieving revenue targets and enhancing its competitive edge.
