The Uganda Airlines yesterday (October 7) landed in Mumbai after 5 hours and 30 minutes above the skies.

The UR430 hit the runway at Entebbe International Airport at 1:36 pm Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3) and arrived at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport around 8:30 pm GMT.

On departure to Mumbai, the crane was flagged off by the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda Upender Singh Rawat, Minister for Works and Transport Katumba Wamala, and Jennifer Bamuturaki the Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer among other delegates.

The Uganda-India direct flight is Uganda Airlines' second service flight outside the African continent and the 12th across its network after the launch of the Dubia route.

On arrival at the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the 38 passengers on board were welcomed by the Ugandan delegates and Indian Officials.

“The flight has been a success and very comfortable. The Airbus is a very comfortable bird. The hospitality we have received was exceptional. We didn’t expect this,” Katumba.

He noted that there has been a lot of demand and outcry from the Ugandans and Indians have this flight.

“We are looking forward to lively business between Uganda and India through this kind of connection,” Katumba said adding that the route won’t only connect Uganda and India in the business aspect alone but also this will promote the Ugandan tourism industry and connect people.

Prof Joyce Kikafunda the Ugandan High Commissioner to India said the long-awaited baby has finally been born adding that the launch of the Uganda-India direct flight is a game changer in the India- Uganda relations.

She described the relationship between the two countries as being excellent adding the direct flight route from Uganda to India and back to cement it further.

The return UR 431 will depart Mumbai on Sunday at 1:10 am and arrive in Entebbe the same day at 5:50 a.m.

During the flagging off of the UR430 at Entebbe, Bamuturaki noted that the inbound UR430 will be departing from Uganda on Mondays and Wednesdays and 8:15 pm GMT and will be arriving in Mumbai every Tuesday and Thursday at 05:55 am. Meanwhile, the reciprocal UR 431 will depart Mumbai at 7:55 am, arriving in Entebbe at 12:25 p.m. GMT.