Uganda Airlines to Spend $50M on MRO Expansion
Uganda Airlines has announced plans to invest around $50 million to expand its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities. The project will include the construction of hangars and workshops at Entebbe to support full base maintenance for the carrier’s fleet and, in the future, offer third-party services.
The initiative is aimed at reducing reliance on overseas facilities, which currently account for nearly 20% of the airline’s operating budget. By developing in-house capacity, Uganda Airlines expects to cut costs, improve turnaround times, and strengthen its role as a regional aviation hub.
The airline has already made progress in this direction. Following approval from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority in March 2024, its Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) successfully carried out its first in-house engine change on a CRJ900LR, registered 5X-KNP. At present, the AMO provides line maintenance services for the airline’s CRJ900 fleet, but the upcoming investment will allow it to expand into heavy maintenance.
Uganda Airlines operates a young fleet that includes Bombardier CRJ900s and Airbus A330-800neos, with expansion plans expected in the coming years. Building domestic MRO capability is seen as a strategic move not only for cost efficiency but also for positioning Uganda as a competitive maintenance provider within Africa.
The $50 million investment highlights the airline’s long-term strategy to increase self-sufficiency, enhance operational reliability, and open new revenue streams by servicing other carriers in the region.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com