Entebbe International Airport is cruising steadily on its post-pandemic recovery path, registering a 6% rise in international passenger traffic in the first half of 2025 a promising sign of renewed travel confidence and regional mobility.
According to the latest figures released by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), a total of 1,133,366 international passengers passed through the airport from January to June 2025, up from 1,069,224 during the same period in 2024.
The growth was fueled by a noticeable jump in both arrivals and departures. International arrivals climbed by 4.3%, from 527,692 in the first half of 2024 to 550,439 in 2025.
Departures surged even higher, growing 7.6% to reach 582,927 compared to 541,532 a year earlier.
The increased foot traffic has been welcomed as a strong indicator that Uganda’s aviation and tourism sectors are regaining altitude after the turbulence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alongside the passenger uptick, cargo volumes also experienced growth, albeit more modestly. Entebbe handled a total of 33,622 metric tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2025 a 2.5% increase from the 32,794 tonnes handled over the same period in 2024.
This included 22,844 tonnes of exports (up from 22,380 tonnes) and 10,778 tonnes of imports (up from 10,414 tonnes). Uganda’s key exports remain consistent: fish, flowers, vegetables, and fresh produce continue to dominate outbound shipments.
In tandem with passenger growth, aircraft movements increased by 4.6%, rising from 15,223 in early 2024 to 15,922 in the first six months of 2025 — a sign that airlines are responding to growing demand with more frequent flights.
However, not all trends pointed upward. Overflights — aircraft that fly over Ugandan airspace without landing — declined by 3.6%, falling from 12,359 to 11,917. The dip is largely due to the partial reopening of Sudanese airspace, which had previously forced many long-haul carriers to reroute through Uganda.
With Sudan now permitting limited traffic through ICAO-designated contingency corridors, several airlines operating between the Middle East, Southern Africa, and Latin America have resumed their original flight paths, easing pressure on Uganda’s airspace.
The steady rebound in international traffic and cargo throughput is a welcome boost for Uganda’s aviation industry, which is gradually rebuilding momentum after years of global uncertainty.
Aviation experts say the figures reflect not just recovery, but renewed trust in Uganda as a hub for regional travel and export trade.
As Entebbe continues to handle increasing numbers of travelers and cargo, attention now turns to infrastructure readiness, service efficiency, and policy support to sustain this upward trajectory.
