Confusion, Flight Delays, Cancellations Over RwandAir Plane Incident at Entebbe International Airport

A number of travellers either had their flights cancelled or delayed for many hours after the closure of the main runway (17/35). 

Trouble started early April 20 morning when a RwandAir plane skidded off the runway. (Read Story Here).

Hours later, national carrier Uganda Airlines confirmed disruptions in scheduled flights.

“We are currently experiencing disruption to our scheduled operations due to temporary closure of the main runway at Entebbe International Airport following an incident earlier today. Affected flights; UR202 to NBO, UR122 to Juba, UR360 to BJM, UR342 to MBA Inconveniences highly regretted,” said Uganda Airlines in a short statement.

About nine hours ago, air transport regulator Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), announced that runway 17/35 had been closed over safety concerns.

“Owing to safety precautions, Entebbe International Airport’s runway 17/35, which was earlier on reopened for operations has been temporarily closed. Arrangements had been put in place for flights to land and take-off with precautions,” read UCAA’s statement in part.

“But during the process of removal of the Rwanda Air aircraft from the runway strip, it got stuck closer to the runway, which called for a review of the previous clearance. Efforts are on-going to resolve this as soon as possible.”

Two hours later, CAA made another announcement, this time clearing flights in and out of Uganda’s main airport to resume.

“Following successful removal of the Rwanda Air aircraft from the runway strip, flights in and out of Entebbe International Airport have been cleared to resume,” the statement from the national aviation authority read.