Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda Airlines found itself under intense scrutiny last week, with critics claiming that the CRJ planes in the national airline’s hangars were little more than junk.
The controversy erupted following Chief Executive Jenifer Bamuturakis’ appearance before Parliament to explain performance issues highlighted in the Auditor General’s report in January 2025.
The airline, however, has achieved a notable financial milestone, reducing its losses by 26% over the past year, according to the Auditor General’s report.
Losses dropped from Shs324.9 billion in 2023 to Shs237.85 billion in 2024, reflecting the impact of effective leadership and strategic initiatives aimed at reversing years of financial challenges.
Before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities & State Enterprises (COSASE), Bamuturakis attributed the 2024 loss to high costs of fuel, crew allowances, and aircraft depreciation.
“The largest contributor to our losses is fuel costs, followed by depreciation, and then crew allowances,” she said.
“These have had a significant impact on our operational performance. Mark my words, I said largest contributor. The other costs we have, we categorize as direct and indirect costs.”
Some legislators interpreted her remarks about the Canadair Regional Jets being grounded due to spares shortages as a sign that the jets were unfit for service. It was as if we were back to the junk UPDF helicopters saga of the 1990s that made Gen Salim Saleh and Emma Katto famous.
Uganda Airlines currently operates four Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft as part of its narrow-body fleet, alongside two Airbus A330-800neo wide-body planes.
Despite public and media outcry, the Auditor General’s report appears to have been largely forgotten. The 26.5% improvement in operating position represents nearly Shs90 billion in reduced losses—the best performance since the airline resumed commercial operations in August 2019.
While immediate profits remain unlikely, the CRJ issue has been overblown, fueling negative coverage on social media and in some mainstreams.
Fuel remains one of the largest airline expenses, often exceeding 30% of operating costs in Africa, alongside spare parts, ground handling fees, catering, and other residual costs.
The spares shortage is not unique to Bombardier; it reflects post-pandemic industry-wide challenges. Aircraft are assembled by a manufacturer, but components are supplied by multiple vendors.
“For instance, CRJ engines are made and sold by General Electric, which is still in business,” notes veteran aviation journalist Michael Wakabi. “The withdrawal of Bombardier from CRJ manufacturing does not mean spares are no longer produced.”
Bombardier’s Rise
Before the CRJ, regional routes relied heavily on turbo-prop aircraft like Bombardier’s 37-seat Dash 8-100/200 series. These planes were fuel-efficient but slow and noisy.
“Bombardier addressed this with the CRJ series,” Wakabi explains.
“Starting with the 50-seat CRJ 100/200 in 1991, Bombardier introduced jets that combined turbo-prop economics with jet speed on regional routes.”
The CRJ program became one of the most successful aircraft initiatives in history, with over 1,500 units sold across various models. Bombardier later expanded to the CRJ 700, 900, and 1000.
Encouraged by success, the company developed the C-Series narrowbody jets, designed for 106-160 passengers with a 15% fuel advantage over competitors. Development challenges, cost overruns, and sluggish sales eventually forced Bombardier to sell the C-Series to Airbus in 2018 and its CRJ program to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2020.
Uganda Airlines’ CRJs are among the youngest in the market, acquired from the last 50 CRJs produced by Bombardier.
“The CRJ was the best fit for Uganda Airlines at that stage, allowing low-risk entry into a competitive market with thin routes and a point-to-point network,” Wakabi adds.
The jets enable profitable operation on smaller routes, while expansion to major hubs like London, Mumbai, Lagos, Abuja, and Dubai is gradually creating a network effect that can support larger aircraft.
It is difficult to see past the CRJ in Uganda Airlines’ fleet for another 10-12 years as the airline grows.
Parliamentary Misunderstandings
Some MPs overreacted to the spares issue, treating the aircraft as if they were obsolete. Notably, regional competitors RwandAir, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines no longer operate the CRJ-900 in active fleets.
RwandAir retired its two CRJ-900s as part of fleet simplification, focusing on Airbus, Boeing, and Q400 aircraft. Kenya Airways streamlined to Boeing 737s and 787s, plus Embraer E190s.
Ethiopian Airlines relies on Boeing and Airbus jets, including 737s, 787s, 777s, A350s, and Dash 8 turboprops.
Uganda Airlines, by contrast, is a relatively young carrier. MP Nathan Itungo suggested COSASE summon all officials involved in the CRJ procurement to explain the decision, demonstrating a misunderstanding of aviation operations.
Mr Itungo has probably seen old RAV4s still on the road but fails to grasp that CRJs, like the Gulfstream G550 presidential jet, remain operational worldwide.
Gulfstream ceased production of the G550, the one President Museveni flies, in 2019, replacing it with the G500 and G600. Similarly, CRJ production ended in 2020, but spares and maintenance is the only determinant.
Uganda Airlines Communications Manager Shakila Rahim Lamar stressed the need for MPs and media to better understand airline operations.
“It has become clear that awareness is needed for informed discussion on technical and operational matters,” she said.
Bamuturakis, speaking at a media roundtable last year, acknowledged tensions between the airline and journalists and called for clear rules of engagement.
She highlighted the misreporting of incidents like the fuelling saga in Dar es Salaam, where routine delays were sensationalized.
“Journalists must approach their work logically and with clarity,” she said.
But everyone becomes an expert on aviation whenever there is something to say. And for Uganda Airlines, it is bad for business.
Source: Nilepost News
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