Uganda has returned from the just-ended ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN) with optimism about securing new international flight landing rights.
The annual ICAN event, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), took place from October 21-25 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and brought together global aviation industry leaders.
Uganda’s delegation, led by Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) deputy director general Olive Birungi Lumonya, participated actively in bilateral air services agreement (BASA) negotiations aimed at expanding Uganda’s air connectivity.
ICAN offers countries the opportunity to engage in bilateral negotiations on air service agreements, which are essential for establishing international flight operations. Lumonya reported that Uganda concluded new BASAs, reviewed existing agreements, and signed multiple memoranda of understanding (MoU) to strengthen Uganda’s aviation network.
For an airline to operate internationally, the airline’s home country must first establish a BASA with the destination country, forming the legal foundation for flight operations. Such agreements are vital for promoting travel and trade, and Uganda seeks to leverage them to increase air traffic.
Among the key outcomes, Uganda initiated its first-ever BASA discussions with Latvia, setting the stage for future flights to the northern European country. The delegation also reviewed agreements with the United Kingdom, Qatar, and Ethiopia, solidifying connections with countries that recently granted Uganda landing rights, including Gatwick Airport in London.
Sudan joined as a new BASA negotiation partner, while discussions were also held with India, Botswana, Russia, and Malaysia, with new agreements signed with Oman. This brings Uganda’s BASA partnerships to a total of 57 countries, 26 of which are African.
A BASA outlines cooperation guidelines between aviation authorities, facilitating certification of aeronautical products and minimizing evaluation duplications. Currently, Uganda Airlines serves 17 destinations across 12 countries.
Uganda’s delegation included representatives from the Ministries of Works and Transport, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as well as officials from Uganda Airlines.
