The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) on Friday, 6th September, conducted the 51st Board Air Services Licensing Committee assembly, a public hearing, to consider applicants for the grant/renewal of Air Service Licenses at Protea Hotel in Kampala.
During the engagement, four applications (03 renewals and 01 new) were presented for consideration, namely, Misk Air Limited, Air Serv Limited, Premier Services East Africa Limited, and Arasus Aviation Limited.
In his remarks, the Board Chairman, Steven Kavuma, highlighted that in compliance with the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations 2001, the applications were advertised in the print media, and the public was invited to attend the public hearing meeting in respect of the air services under consideration.
“Currently, 26 Ugandan licensed air operators are offering a variety of air services including scheduled passenger and/or cargo, non-scheduled passenger and/or cargo, Private, Training, and Aerial Works,” he said.
About scheduled international air services, Kavuma noted that Uganda has concluded Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with 56 Countries, 16 Airlines operate international scheduled services to and from Entebbe International Airport following the provisions of the BASAs concluded between Uganda and the respective Countries.
“Uganda Airlines operates to thirteen 13 destinations, namely: Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Bujumbura, Kinshasa, Mogadishu, Lagos, and Mumbai. It also intends to commence scheduled operations in Harare, Lusaka, and Abuja in September 2024,” the Board chairman added.
He, therefore, encouraged Ugandan licensed air operators serving domestic and international routes to synergize through airline cooperative arrangements like codeshare agreements and interlining with Uganda Airlines and other international air operators to increase air connectivity and stimulate the growth of air passenger and cargo traffic in Uganda.
The acting director general, Ms. Hellen Wenene, remarked that discussions at such fora are usually geared towards shaping and determining the future of the country’s aviation industry with particular emphasis on safety, security,, and efficiency in service provision.
“This transparent public hearing accords applicants for air services (new and those seeking renewal) an opportunity to present their case. Members of the public with substantial ground to object to the grant/renewal of the Air Services to the applicants always have an opportunity to lodge such objection in writing to the Authority, with a copy of the objection to the applicant concerned,” she said.
In addition, Wenene noted that the Authority always strives to create a level playing field for all operators while encouraging fair competition, innovation, and consumer protection.
“As you all know, the Authority successfully completed two back-to-back international safety and security audits, the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) in September 2023 and the Universal Security Audit Program (USAP) in February 2024,” the acting director general highlighted.
Wenene also remarked that Uganda scored above the regional and global average in both audits, an indicator of compliance with the highest standards of safety and security, and the authority will therefore, continue to urge licensees to be compliant and accountable and ensure that they meet the required safety and operational standards to uphold the required service delivery.
“Whenever we renew licenses of existing operators or approve new operators to come on board, it has a direct bearing on domestic and international passenger traffic, as well as cargo volumes, which ultimately translates into more revenue for the country,” she said.
Kisoro Aerodrome status
Rehabilitation of Kisoro Aerodrome was recently completed with the resurfacing of the runway, taxiway, and apron. There are efforts to extend the length of the runway from the current 1200 meters to 1800 meters. In the future, we will have plans to extend the runway to 2300 meters after the acquisition of land.
There are technical proposals to develop the Gulu, Arua, and Kidepo aerodromes for international airports before hosting the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The statistics clearly indicate growth in the aviation industry, and we hope that you will continue to contribute towards that growth.
Ms Hellen Wenene also highlighted that the authority has invested a lot in the adoption of new technologies in relation to air navigation systems, among others, and therefore urged the stakeholders to be continually innovative and adopt the use of modern technology as the aviation industry is now highly reliant on technology.
“Aircraft can now fly smoothly to the preferred altitude without disruption by the Air Traffic Controller in a bid to separate them from other traffic, and the same applies when an aircraft is descending. This is not only efficient but has reduced the workload for the Pilot and Air Traffic Controller. Technology has reduced noise and carbon emissions and made flights more comfortable for passengers,” she noted.
Wenene also remarked that as a result of the automation, there is a centralized monitoring system at Entebbe, which facilitates maintenance.
“If one of the connected systems at any of the aerodromes, such as Soroti, Gulu, or Arua, fails, the maintenance team can see it in Entebbe using the centralized monitoring system, which enhances efficiency in service provision,” she added.
Technology has also enhanced coordination with all the teams, whereby information communicated by an in-coming aircraft to air traffic control can be easily disseminated through the Terminal Operations Control Centre (TOCC) in an instant to all concerned stakeholders, including Immigration, Airport Operations, Briefing, Security, and all that need to know once the controller enters the information in the system.
Automation of the Personnel Licensing (PEL) system is ongoing. Installing the software and training will commence upon approval and deployment is planned by 31st November 2024. The system application will include the application process, payment for exams & license, and feedback on all issues, and thereafter, the applicant can present himself or themself for the physical exams before the license is awarded.
About the automation of oversight functions, Wenene highlighted that the Authority is in the process of implementing the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSORT), which is in eight phases. Two phases for aviation security and six phases for aviation safety oversight, which will ease the way of doing business and standardize the aviation security and safety oversight function, which is a global practice.
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), under Section 6 (2) of the CAA Act Cap. 354, as amended, is responsible for the licensing of air transport services. In addition, the Authority advises the Government of the Republic of Uganda on matters relating to the development of air services such as Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) and other air transport activities.
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