In a boost to tourism, Uganda’s Bar Aviation (HE, Kajjansi) has launched domestic schedules from Entebbe to four national parks in the country in an interline partnership with Uganda Airlines (UR, Entebbe), the company announced.

Launched on February 1, 2022, daily schedules are operated with a Cessna (single turboprop) 208B Grand Caravan connecting international tourists arriving on Uganda Airlines flights at Entebbe to the following airstrips:

  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Kihihi and Kisoro;
  • Murchison Falls National Park: Bugungu, Pakuba, and Chobe;
  • Queen Elizabeth National Parks: Kasese/Mweya, and Semuliki;
  • Lake Mburo National Park: Mbarara.

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) spokesman Vianney Luggya said the flights had been cleared by the Ugandan government, which hoped they would be a shot in the arm for domestic traffic and tourism, allowing tourists to avoid congested local roads, reported Eagle Online.

Bar Aviation also operates thrice-weekly flights between Arua - a city and commercial centre in the northern region of Uganda - and its base at the Kajjansi airfield near Kampala, aimed at business travellers.

According to its website, the company operates a fixed-wing fleet also comprising Beech (twin turboprop) King Air, PC-12, Beech 1900D, and Cessna 172 aircraft, as well as a rotor-wing fleet comprising Eurocopter EC130, a Bell Helicopter (TXH, Fort Worth Meacham) B505 Jet Ranger for medevac work, and a Bell 206 helicopter.

Apart from schedules, its services include private charters, contract flying, medevac, aerial and geographical surveys, cargo flights, aircraft leasing, and pilot training.