- As the world marks the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller on 20 October, Uganda hailed record number of passenger and cargo traffic.
- More than 2.2 million people used the airport in 2024, soaring past pre-pandemic numbers, and 2025 on course to set new record numbers.
- The busiest month of 2025 so far has been August that saw 243,089 passengers, the highest monthly traffic in the airport’s history.
- Boost follows opening of country’s new airport – with further expansion now announced to further drive passenger and cargo growth.
As the world marks the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller today, Uganda is celebrating record-breaking performance at Entebbe International Airport and the launch of Phase II of its redevelopment.
Recent figures from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) show a sharp rise in passenger numbers and freight volumes at the country’s primary international airport, cementing Entebbe’s status as one of East Africa’s fastest-growing aviation hubs.
In August alone, the airport recorded a record 243,089 international passengers – with 116,507 arrivals and 126,582 departures – surpassing July’s previously record-breaking total of 230,577 passengers and setting a new post-pandemic benchmark. Cargo movements have also surged, driven by increased exports of flowers, fish, and manufactured goods.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has celebrated the growth and attributed it to the recent development of the airport as well as the expansion of Uganda Airlines, new international carriers coming on board, rising conference and sports tourism, and strategic positioning ahead of major regional events.
Uganda Airlines has rapidly expanded its network since the airline launched in 2018. With a modern fleet of A330neos and CRJ900s, the national carrier now connects the East African nation to 14 countries, serving 18 destinations across 21 routes.
Mr Vianney Luggya, Public Affairs Manager at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Uganda’s hosting of international conferences, tourism promotion, the coming on board of new air operators like Flynas, which commenced direct flights between Riyadh and Entebbe in January 2025, and Uganda Airlines’ sustained operations on new routes, among others. Exports continue to record higher figures than imports, which increases foreign exchange earnings, among other economic benefits for the country.”
Uganda’s aviation growth is delivering benefits across sectors – from tourism and trade to logistics, employment, and regional competitiveness. Service providers, including cargo handlers, taxicab operators, forex outlets, and hospitality businesses are already experiencing the ripple effects of increased airport use.
Some 2,243,104 million international passengers were handled in 2024, up from 1,932,094 in the previous year of 2023. So far, 1,822,849 international passengers have been recorded in the period January to September 2025, with the busy Christmas season yet to come.
To match the surge in demand, Uganda has now commenced Phase II of the Entebbe International Airport expansion, backed by an investment of USD 125 million. The new phase prioritises the construction of a second passenger terminal and upgrades to enhance capacity, safety, and passenger experience. This investment is expected to significantly reduce congestion, streamline passenger flows, and create a more welcoming environment for travellers from across Africa and beyond.
The expansion will increase Entebbe’s passenger handling capacity to 3.5 million annually, with an ultimate target of 5 million passengers by 2029. This follows the successful completion of Phase I earlier this year, which saw the rehabilitation of runways, a new cargo centre with 100,000-tonne capacity, expansion of aircraft parking areas and an upgraded passenger infrastructure.
The timing of the airport’s expansion aligns with national preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania. The tournament is expected to bring unprecedented passenger traffic.
The record achievements would not be possible without the service of Uganda’s air traffic controllers, who ensure daily flight safety, efficiency, and coordination despite rising traffic. Their expertise has enabled the opening of new direct international routes, including Uganda Airlines’ Entebbe–London Gatwick service and increased flight frequencies across Africa, as well as higher movement of cargo aircraft.
Month-by-month data for Entebbe Airport back to 1991 can be found here.
