Air Uganda is finalising plans for its launch of its inaugural service on November 15. The Airline will step into the void created in the Uganda airline industry with the demise of Ugandan Airlines seven years ago.

Air Uganda which will operate out of Entebbe airport has been set up by Mediana (Italy’s third airline) in partnership with the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.

The airline will commence operations with one McDonnell Douglas DC-9 which will be joined by two Boeing MD-87’s. It has already secured routes across East Africa including two daily flights to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi three flights a week to Juba in southern Sudan and four flights a week to Dar Es Salaam and Kilimanjaro both in Tanzania.

The new airline carried out a test flight on Thursday between Entebbe and Nairobi and expects to carry out daily test flights for the rest of the week in preparation for its launch.

The launch of the new airline will be a boon for Uganda travellers who have endured a lack of competition on many medium range flights.

Air Uganda’s parent company has aggressively pursued expansion across Africa in addition to the Air Uganda project, Mediana has stakes in the Malian, Bukinabe and Cameroonian airlines.