Uganda Airlines says it will retire its fleet of Bombardier CRJ 900 regional jets, citing growing difficulties in sourcing spare parts for the aircraft.
The airline’s chief executive, Jenifer Bamuturaki, told lawmakers on Parliament’s public enterprises committee that the decision follows Bombardier’s exit from commercial aircraft production. The Canadian manufacturer sold its CRJ programme to Mitsubishi in 2020, leaving operators struggling with maintenance and rising costs.
The move will see Uganda phase out four CRJ-900LRs, which have formed the backbone of its regional network since the carrier was revived in 2019. Each aircraft seats 76 passengers in a two-class layout, serving routes to neighbouring cities including Nairobi, Juba and Dar es Salaam.
Committee chair Medard Lubega Sseggona questioned why the jets were purchased in the first place, given that Bombardier’s plans to leave the market were already public at the time.
Ms Bamuturaki said the decision predated her tenure and was made under former chief executive Ephraim Bagenda. She added that most airlines typically keep the CRJ model in service for 10 to 12 years, but Uganda Airlines was now reviewing the timetable for its retirement.
The airline is exploring alternative aircraft that are easier to maintain and better supported by manufacturers.
Her remarks came as the company faced scrutiny over its finances. An Auditor General’s report for the 2023/24 financial year showed the airline recorded a loss of 237.8 billion Ugandan shillings (about $66m). This was an improvement on the previous year’s deficit of 323 billion shillings, but still raised concerns over the carrier’s long-term viability.
Beyond the regional fleet, Uganda Airlines operates two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft for its intercontinental services. Ms Bamuturaki also confirmed the company intends to launch domestic flights by 2026/27.
