Northern Corridor Partner States Strive for Reduction of Airfares and Modern Air Navigation Services at Northern Corridor Aviation Meeting

KIGALI, RWANDA — Uganda and other NCIP partner states are meeting in Kigali Rwanda at the 11th Meeting of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) under the
Heads of Civil Aviation Authorities today June 25th 2025.

Uganda’s delegation is led by NCIP National Coordinator Ambassador Richard Kabonero
and includes the Director General of CAA, Mr. Fred Bamwesigye and other technical aviation authorities.

The meeting discussed measures to reduce airfares and enhance regional air
connectivity.

The significant areas of agreement

1. IMMEDIATE AIRFARE REDUCTION:

• Fifth Freedom Rights:airlines to operate competitive routes through thereby
  Lowering costs competition.
• Airline Alliances: Airlines to pursue codeshares/interlines with regional carriers,
  expanding affordable flight options.
• Travel Agent Regulations: Regional legislation by June 2026 to protect the travelling public from
  exploitative pricing.

ꢀ2. FEE HARMONIZATION:
Uganda will join a December 2025 stakeholder summit to discuss Passenger Service Charges
and Air Navigation fees – dir

3. CONTINENTAL EXPANSION:
   Accelerated accession to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) by December
   2026, unlocking 35+ African destinations for Ugandan airlines.

ꢀ4. AIRSPACE MODERNIZATION:

• Real-Time Data Hub: Entebbe ACC will share flight data with Nairobi, Kigali, and Juba
  via the new Distributed Aeronautical Database (enhancing safety/efficiency).
• Border Surveillance Fusion: Improved radar coverage for flights entering/leaving
  NCIP airspace.
   

• Civil-Military Coordination: Signed framework (pending Kenya) to optimize national
  airspace use.

1. SAFETY UPGRADES:
   A regional joint accident investigation mechanism was activated for faster, resource-rich
   responses.

Ambassador Kabonero emphasized: “This meeting translates regional cooperation into
tangible outcomes for Ugandans: cheaper tickets, expanded routes, and world-class
airspace management. Amb Kabonero encouraged Uganda Airlines to prioritise Entebbe-Kigali route as one of the measures to reduce airfares while positioning Entebbe to benefit from these initiatives as a regional hub