KAMPALA – At least three air transport service providers have applied for licenses to start air service operations in Uganda.
There were verified by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) board on Wednesday, March 1, 2020, through a public hearing held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, three applicants for air services license.
The three include Zone Four International Ltd, local applicants (nonscheduled cargo service), Jetways (nonscheduled applied for passenger and cargo), and Grand air services ltd, applied for international Cargo (Nonscheduled cargo).
UCAA Vianney Luggya said public hearing an international practice, meant for transparency purposes in the airline industry in line with ICAO regulations.
“It is a regulatory requirement that any air operator intending to commence commercial operations (domestic or international) has to apply to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), for an operating license known as an Air Services License (ASL).,”
He noted that this is a prerequisite for engagement in air operations and has not been uniquely applied to Uganda Airlines, but to all new applicants for the provision of air services or those seeking renewal of licenses.
All the applicants clarified on issues to do with their business plan, proposed air routes, and equipment to be used, among others.
For transparency purposes, ASL regulations require that a notice of all the applicants to be considered (new or renewal), is placed in the print media 30 days prior to the date of consideration of the applications by the Board Air Services Licensing Committee meeting.
Eng Edward Mike Ndawula, Chairman Board UCAA said the process provides the public an opportunity to provide any relevant information to the licensing committee and it is not a new practice, but one that has been exercised since UCAA assumed the responsibility of regulating air transport services in Uganda.
“It is a global practice that is not unique to Uganda. It ought to be noted that this mandatory process is only an enabler or facilitating the process for an airline to be permitted to fly from within and out of the country. It is independent of other individual airline’s plans such as the purchase of aircraft. It is a routine regulatory activity,” Eng. Ndawula said.
