KAMPALA — Kenyan low-cost carrier Jambojet has officially resumed flights between Nairobi and Entebbe, returning to Uganda after a nearly six-year suspension linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions.
The airline’s aircraft was received at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday with a traditional water cannon salute, marking the return of the carrier to the Ugandan market.
The arrival was witnessed by a delegation that included officials from the Kenya High Commission in Uganda, Minister of State for Works and Transport Fred Byamukama, and officials from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
Jambojet began its return with a daily direct service between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Entebbe International Airport, providing another option for passengers travelling between the two East African capitals. The airline originally entered the Ugandan market in 2018 before suspending the route in 2020.
The inaugural Nairobi-Entebbe flight, JM8522, was scheduled to leave Nairobi at 9:30am and arrive in Entebbe at 11am, while the return flight, JM8523, was scheduled to depart Entebbe at 11:40am.
Jambojet Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Karanja Ndegwa said the airline’s proposition would go beyond ticket prices, with emphasis on direct connectivity and reliability.
“Our proposition is therefore not simply about the price. It’s about getting you there directly, reliably, and on time.”
The airline is offering fares starting at KES 22,950 one way from Nairobi, according to Jambojet.
Ndegwa had earlier described the return to Uganda as part of the airline’s effort to strengthen regional connectivity and expand access to air travel.
“Our return to Uganda is a strategic step forward in our mission to strengthen regional connectivity.”
Jambojet said the restored connection would cater for business, tourism and leisure travellers, while also supporting movement between the two countries.
The airline also plans to support cargo and parcel services on the route, potentially providing another channel for cross-border trade between Uganda and Kenya.
Celebrating its arrival in Entebbe, Jambojet posted: “Touch down at Entebbe International Airport. A water cannon salute welcomed us to Entebbe, and we couldn’t have asked for a better arrival.”
The carrier described the resumption as a new connection between Kenya and Uganda, promising passengers “more choice, everyday convenience, and direct flights between Nairobi and Entebbe.”
The return adds capacity to an already busy Nairobi-Entebbe corridor served by carriers including Kenya Airways and Uganda Airlines. Flight schedules for October show Jambojet operating the route daily.
Jambojet’s return comes as regional aviation operators seek to capture recovering demand for business and leisure travel across East Africa.
For passengers, the significance is straightforward: after years in which the route lost one of its low-cost operators, Jambojet is back in the skies between Nairobi and Entebbe.
