Breaking News: Uganda Airlines A330 to feature at Dubai Airshow
Uganda airlines expects to take the final delivery of its A330-800 order next weekOne of Uganda Airlines A330-800 aircraft will be on display at the Dubai Airshow that will run November 14-18, 2021 under an arrangement between the carrier and the manufacturer, 256BN has learnt.
However, it was not immediately clear if besides the static display, the aircraft will engage in any demonstration flights. The Dubai Airshow is the first in-person international air display since Covid-19 disrupted the global economy, forcing the cancellation of last years edition of the Farnborough Air Show in the UK. All factors remaining constant, the next big event will be the Paris Airshow, next June.
Uganda Airlines was the first customer to commit to the long-range jet, that was designed as a replacement for the A330-200 (ce0) current engine option. The Uganda flag carrier operates two of the jets that it intends to use of routes to London, Guangzhou, Mumbai and some intermediate routes within Africa.
So far, only Dubai is operational with London set to commence in the next couple of months following Uganda’s removal from the UK’s red list. Guangzhou and Mumbai will also launch as travel restrictions ease in those markets.
The A330 family has logged 1818 firm orders since it first took to the air in November 1992. About 340 of that number belong to the A330-Neo range which comes in two variants, – 900 and the -800. Although the bulk of new orders have been for the larger -900 variant, it is believed that is because of the relatively young fleet of A330-200- ceo’s whose replacement cycle is expected to gather steam mid-decade.