In the first six months of 2025, Entebbe International Airport has recorded a rise in cargo traffic with export volumes nearly doubling imports, data from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) shows.
From January to June, the airport handled 33,622 metric tons of cargo. Of these 22,844 were exports, while 10,778 were imports. In the same period last year (2024), the airport handled 32,794 tonnes overall: 22,380 exports and 10,414 imports.
This data shows in the same period in 2024 and 2025 that the volumes of cargo grew by 2.1 per cent on the export ledger and 3.5 per cent on the import one. According to UCAA, this jump in cargo traffic numbers signals a good export performance.
Uganda’s major exports that are freighted by air include perishable agricultural and horticultural products like fresh fish, flowers, vegetables and high-priced minerals (such as gold).
Vianney Luggya, the Aviation Authority’s manager for Public Relations, told The Infrastructure Magazine that alongside the increase in cargo volumes over the period, there was also 4.6 per cent rise in aircraft movements. The first half of 2025 saw 15,922 aircraft movements, compared to 15,223 in the same period in 2024.
These numbers, Luggya said, point to growing aviation activity in the country.
Two notable movements have happened in this period, the low fare Saudi Arabia Airline, Flynas, commenced its Riyad-Entebbe operation in January (2025), while Uganda Airlines expanded its routes – including four times a week to Gatwick, London in May.
The consistent growth over the last two years signals post pandemic renewed economic activity, and growing international confidence in Uganda as a travel and business destination.
Nor was the growth only on the cargo side. Passenger traffic equally recorded a north movement. “{Within the same time}, the Airport registered 213,217 international passengers, including: 106,583 arrivals and 106,634 departures,” Luggya said.
This is an average of 7,107 arrivals and departures per day, the second highest in a single month after the average of 7,171 recorded in December 2024.
The figures reflect a 4.3 per cent growth in arrivals, and a 7.6 per cent growth in departures year-on-year.
#Entebbe International Airport records rise cargo traffic
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