Uganda Airlines has secured a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Ethiopian Airlines under a short-term wet lease agreement to restore its disrupted long-haul operations and protect valuable landing slots at London Gatwick Airport, following the grounding of its entire Airbus A330-800neo fleet due to unscheduled maintenance.

The aircraft, registered ET-ASI, will be operated by a 43-member Ethiopian Airlines crew and will position to Entebbe under flight number UR601, using Uganda Airlines’ call sign “CRESTED.” The arrangement, known in the aviation industry as an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) or wet lease, allows Uganda Airlines to resume international services—particularly its strategic London Gatwick route—without deploying its own pilots or technical crew.

The urgency of the arrangement stems from international aviation rules requiring airlines to use at least 80 percent of allocated take-off and landing slots at congested airports under the “use it or lose it” principle. Losing slots at busy airports such as Gatwick could allow competing carriers to claim them, potentially derailing Uganda Airlines’ ambitions to build a sustained intercontinental network.

The disruption began on February 20, when both of Uganda Airlines’ Airbus A330-800 aircraft were temporarily withdrawn from service due to technical issues, forcing the suspension of flights to London Gatwick, Dubai, and Mumbai. Reports suggest one aircraft has been grounded since January 11 awaiting engine-related maintenance that could take 12 to 14 weeks, while the second was taken out of service after cracks were discovered in engine blades.

Industry observers attribute the speed of the solution to the close ties between the two carriers and the influence of newly appointed Uganda Airlines Acting CEO Girma Wake, who assumed the role on February 16 following a presidential directive.

Girma, who served as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011 and later as chairman until 2023, is widely credited with transforming the airline from a modest regional carrier into Africa’s most profitable and successful aviation powerhouse.

Aviation sources note that Uganda Airlines would ideally have opted for a dry lease—leasing only the aircraft—which is typically cheaper. However, this option may not have been feasible because Ugandan pilots and crew may not currently be certified to operate the technologically advanced Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Under the ACMI arrangement, Uganda Airlines will cover operational costs and pay Ethiopian Airlines crew at their standard rates while ensuring the aircraft remains airworthy. The 787-8 Dreamliner, known for its fuel-efficient composite construction, is typically configured with two classes, including Ethiopian Airlines’ “Cloud Nine” business class. Unlike Uganda Airlines’ Airbus A330s, however, it does not include a premium economy section.

The airline is reportedly continuing to reaccommodate affected passengers, rebooking some on alternative carriers where available and adjusting schedules to accommodate travelers impacted by the fleet grounding.