East Africa Soars: Jambojet Resumes Key Nairobi-Entebbe Route Amid Rising Travel Demand

Jambojet is set to resume its daily flights between Nairobi, Kenya, and Entebbe, Uganda, starting October 1, 2026. This strategic return to the Ugandan market comes as demand for travel between the two East African nations continues to recover. The resumption of service aims to significantly strengthen air connectivity, providing vital options for both business and leisure travellers, and fostering increased cross-border trade and tourism. One-way fares for this route are expected to begin from approximately US$170.

Karanja Ndegwa, Jambojet's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, highlighted that the airline's return to Uganda is a key component of its broader regional expansion strategy. He stated, "Our return to Uganda is a strategic step forward in our mission to strengthen regional connectivity. We see significant opportunities to support business, tourism and trade between Kenya and Uganda while providing travellers with affordable, reliable and convenient flying experience that Jambojet is known for." Ndegwa emphasized that making flying accessible across East Africa remains central to the airline's mission, identifying Uganda as a crucial market for reconnecting destinations and facilitating connections to other points within Jambojet's network.

The Nairobi-Entebbe route is poised to serve as an essential link between two of East Africa's primary economic hubs, streamlining the movement of both people and goods. Beyond passenger services, Jambojet will also offer cargo and parcel services on this corridor, providing businesses with additional capacity for transporting goods between Kenya and Uganda. Furthermore, this service will grant Ugandan travellers easier access to various onward destinations within Jambojet's existing network, including popular Kenyan coastal tourism spots such as Mombasa, Diani, Malindi, and Lamu.

Market analysis projects that the Nairobi-Entebbe air corridor will accommodate approximately 300,000 passengers in 2026, underscoring the sustained demand for travel between these countries. Jambojet's daily service will augment existing capacity and offer more choices for travellers, thereby contributing to the broader recovery of regional tourism, business travel, and trade.

In preparation for the October launch, Jambojet collaborated with the Uganda Association of Travel Agents (TUGATA) to host a stakeholder engagement breakfast at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel. This event brought together key representatives from government, travel, tourism, trade, corporate organizations, and the media. It served as a platform for Jambojet to outline its plans for the Ugandan market and explore opportunities for collaborative efforts surrounding the Nairobi-Entebbe route. TUGATA Chairperson Irene Nanyombi expressed enthusiasm for Jambojet's return, affirming that the service would bolster increased travel and commercial activities across the region and pledged close cooperation to promote the route.

Jambojet's re-entry into Uganda aligns with the airline's ongoing operational expansion. In April 2026, the airline successfully increased its active fleet to 11 aircraft and achieved the significant milestone of carrying its 10 millionth passenger. Additionally, the company reported an impressive on-time performance of 86.45% in July 2026, positioning it among leading airlines globally for operational punctuality.

The airline first ventured into the Ugandan market in 2018 as part of its initial regional expansion strategy. However, its regional operations were subsequently impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, leading Jambojet to temporarily pivot its focus towards strengthening its domestic network within Kenya. The upcoming resumption of flights to Entebbe therefore signifies Jambojet's official return to the Ugandan market, marking a renewed drive to expand its regional footprint and enhance air travel accessibility throughout East Africa.