Uganda Airlines grounds rare Airbus A330-800s and cancels flights to London
February 23, 2026
Both of Uganda Airlines’ widebody aircraft have been grounded for unscheduled maintenance, eliminating the carrier’s sole means of providing long-haul services on its route from Entebbe International Airport to London.
The two Airbus A330-800neos are “temporarily” out of action while the airline deals with unspecified technical issues affecting the five-year-old airframes and their constituent parts.
Uganda Airlines A330-800neo fleet grounds London Gatwick long-haul route
Uganda Airlines has been using the Trent-7000-powered A330neos to reach London Gatwick Airport – the most distant point on the carrier’s route map – and Mumbai, as well as Dubai and Lagos.
It leaves the airline with a fleet of just one Airbus A320-200 and four Bombardier CRJ-900s, one of which is parked.
In a statement on Facebook under the banner “TEMPORARY FLIGHT DISRUPTION”, the carrier said: “Uganda Airlines wishes to inform our esteemed guests that two of our long-haul aircraft are temporarily out of service due to unscheduled maintenance.
“We understand that this may cause concern and inconvenience, and we want to assure all affected passengers that their safety and comfort remain our highest priority.
“We are working around the clock to source the required components and technical expertise to return these aircraft to service.”
The airline said it was “actively working to re-accommodate all impacted travellers”.
Those affected passengers are being placed on alternative carriers, the airline said.
Engine issues on Trent 7000-powered A330-800neos suspected
According to local news site Monitor, one of the affected aircraft has been grounded since 11 January, awaiting engine-related obligations. The fix could potentially take 12–14 weeks.
The second aircraft was reportedly grounded after an inspection found cracks on engine blades, requiring maintenance.
Uganda Airlines only launched the Gatwick route on 18 May 2025, using the Airbus A330-800neo. The airline was the first carrier to operate the A330-800neo into Gatwick.
It was operated as a four-times weekly service on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki said at the time that the route connected “Uganda to one of the world’s busiest and most strategic aviation hubs”, highlighting its “connections across our growing African network linking passengers from London to key destinations in East, Central, and West Africa.”
Uganda Airlines fleet now reduced to A320 and CRJ-900 aircraft
Uganda Airlines, which was established in 2019, took delivery of its A330neos in 2020 and 2021.
The cabin features 20 full-flat, business-class beds, 28 premium-economy seats, and 210 economy-class seats, totalling 258 seats.
Uganda Airlines purchased the CRJ-900s in a $190 million deal with Bombardier Commercial Aircraft in 2018.
They are operated in a dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 business class seats.
Uganda Airlines’ 10-year-old A320 is leased from Danish Air Transport and previously flew in the Middle East.
Featured image: Franz Massard – stock.adobe.com
