The Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Fred Bamwesigye, has revealed that the expansion works at Entebbe International Airport are nearing completion with 92% of the work done.
Bamwesigye made the remarks after holding a press conference at Entebbe Airport’s VIP Press Room on August 20, 2024, where he provided crucial updates on the state of the aviation industry in Uganda.
During the briefing, he provided detailed statistics that covered aircraft movements, passenger trends, infrastructure development, and cargo traffic growth.
Fred Bamwesigye noted a 4.4% growth concerning aircraft movements, which are the landing or takeoff of an aircraft or a helicopter at an airport.
“Aircraft movements were 15,223 in January to June 2024 compared to 14,575 in January to June 2023, reflecting a 4.4% growth, while overflights were 12,359 in January to June 2024 compared to 11,203 in the same period of 2023, reflecting a 10.3% growth,” he said.
Regarding transit passengers, Bamwesigye said that there was a decline, noting that transit passengers were 53,559 from January to June 2024 compared to 57,469 from January to June 2023, reflecting a decline of -6.8%.
The Director General further highlighted the infrastructure development at the airport, stating that in terms of infrastructure, the project for upgrade and expansion of the airport is progressing well and is standing at 92% level of completion overall.
He further noted that as part of the same project, both runways were already resurfaced, a new 100,000-ton capacity cargo center was completed in 2021, and aircraft aprons 2, 4, and 5 (cargo aprons completed). Bamwesigye added that pending works are on the main Apron 1, which has been expanded (currently at 96%) and the new terminal building connecting to the current terminal, whose works are ongoing and at 65% level of completion.
He further shed light on the cargo traffic in the sector where there was remarkable growth, as he stated, “Cargo traffic also surged, with a total of 32,794 metric tons handled in the first half of 2024, marking an impressive growth in both exports and imports.”
Bamwesigye also shared plans for enhancing the passenger experience, revealing that a new Business Class facility is being constructed within the terminal building, with completion expected by early next year.
CAA began the expansion project of Entebbe International Airport in 2015 with a target to complete the first phase by 2023 and the entire project by 2033, with China Communication Construction Company handling the work.
