Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Uganda has emerged from the recent ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN) optimistic about securing landing rights in more countries as it continues to expand its aviation footprint.
The ICAN 2024 event, held in Kuala Lumpur from October 21 to 25, gathered aviation industry leaders from around the globe. The Ugandan delegation was led by Olive Birungi Lumonya, Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
ICAN, an annual event organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), facilitates Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) negotiations and consultations between nations regarding air services. At this year's event, Uganda successfully concluded new BASAs, reviewed existing agreements, and signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), according to Lumonya.
Before an airline can initiate international services to another country, a treaty-level agreement known as a bilateral air services agreement must be negotiated between the two governments. These agreements are vital for enhancing travel and trade between Uganda and its international partners, paving the way for increased air traffic.
During the event, Uganda initiated negotiations with Latvia, marking the first collaboration between the two nations and setting the stage for potential flights to Northern Europe. Additionally, Uganda reviewed its existing agreements with the United Kingdom, which granted Uganda Airlines permission to land at Gatwick Airport in July, as well as with Qatar and Ethiopia.
The latest country to begin BASA negotiations with Uganda is Sudan. Uganda also engaged in separate bilateral discussions with India, Botswana, Russia, and Malaysia, with the latter two being new partnerships. The signing of the BASA with Oman brings the total number of countries with agreements with Uganda to 57, including 26 from Africa.
A BASA outlines the obligations and cooperation methods between aviation authorities, aiming to minimize duplication in evaluations and facilitate the certification of aeronautical products.
Currently, Uganda Airlines operates flights to 17 destinations across 12 countries. The Ugandan delegation at ICAN included officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Uganda Airlines.
