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Entebbe Airport

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Entebbe Airport
NameEntebbe International Airport
IATAEBB
ICAOHUEN
OwnerGovernment of Uganda
OperatorUganda Civil Aviation Authority
City-servedKampala
LocationEntebbe
Elevation-f3,782
Elevation-m1,152
Coordinates0, 02, 32, N...
R1-number17/35
R1-length-m3,658
R1-length-f12,000
R1-surfaceAsphalt

Entebbe Airport. Officially known as Entebbe International Airport, it is the primary international gateway to Uganda. Located on a peninsula in Lake Victoria near the town of Entebbe, it serves the capital city of Kampala, approximately 40 kilometers to the east. The airport is a major hub for East Africa and is operated by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.

History

The airport's origins trace back to the 1920s when it was established as an airfield during the British colonial period. It gained significant global attention due to the 1976 Israeli commando raid, a counter-terrorism mission that followed the Air France flight hijacking by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Revolutionary Cells. Throughout the late 20th century, the facility was a key base for the now-defunct national carrier Uganda Airlines and saw activity during periods of conflict, including the Uganda–Tanzania War. Major redevelopment projects, often involving partnerships with firms like China Communications Construction Company, have modernized its infrastructure in the 21st century.

Facilities

The airport features a single passenger terminal complex that has undergone extensive renovation, housing facilities for both international and domestic flights. Its primary runway, 17/35, is one of the longest in Africa and can accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and the Antonov An-124. Key operational support is provided by the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot and the United States Agency for International Development. Other facilities include a VIP lounge, cargo terminals operated by companies like DHL Aviation, and maintenance hangars.

Airlines and destinations

Entebbe International Airport serves as a hub for the revived Uganda Airlines and for Aerolink Uganda. It hosts numerous international carriers connecting Uganda to global networks, including Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Kenya Airways via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul Airport, and Emirates via Dubai International Airport. Regional operators like RwandAir and Air Tanzania provide connections within the African Great Lakes region, while cargo services are flown by Astral Aviation and Mombasa Air Safari.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has witnessed several notable aviation safety events. A significant accident involved Alliance Air Flight 891, which crashed into Lake Victoria shortly after takeoff in 1999. In 1976, the hijacked Airbus A300 operating as Air France Flight 139 was stormed by Israel Defense Forces commandos at the airport. Other incidents include the 1988 crash of a Uganda Air Cargo Douglas DC-3 and a 2013 incident where a Eagle Air Cessna 208 overran the runway.

Statistics

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport handled over 1.9 million passengers annually, making it one of the busiest in East Africa. It is a critical node for air freight, managing significant volumes of perishable goods like flowers and fish exported to markets in Europe and the Middle East. Traffic is dominated by routes to Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dubai, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, with KLM and Brussels Airlines being long-standing European carriers.

Ground transportation

The airport is connected to Kampala primarily by the Entebbe-Kampala Expressway, a major toll road that significantly reduces travel time. Taxi services and ride-hailing apps like SafeBoda are widely available. There is no direct rail link, though plans for a connection to the Uganda Railway have been proposed. Matatu minibus services provide a more affordable, though less direct, public transport option between the airport and the capital.

Category:Airports in Uganda Category:Buildings and structures in Entebbe