Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport is known to as the main international gateway to Uganda it is located in Entebbe town a distance of about 40 kilometers from the Southwest of Kampala city, which is considered and famously known as the capital city of Uganda, and it stands at an elevated area of about 1,153 meters above the sea level. The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority operates Entebbe International Airport. More so, this airport plays a main role in facilitating both international flights and domestic flights. In addition, below is a comprehensive overview of Entebbe International Airport and with this we shall delve more into its history, services, significance, and facilities.
Entebbe International Airport has a rich history whereby it was originally established by the colonial authorities and used as a hub for the imperial airways in 1936 then later in 1951, it underwent several expansions due to its facilities, which led to a big development, and eventually it was transitioned into a civilian airport. more so, Entebbe International Airport was featured in the popular Hollywood movie ‘7 Days in Entebbe,’ which tells the 1976 hijacking event that took place at the airport, where Air France flight 139 was hijacked by Arab-German terrorists. Then one of the most notable events to know in the airport’s history occurred in 1976 when Israeli commandos carried out a daring rescue mission to free hostages held at the airport’s old terminal. The successful operation, known as Operation Entebbe, is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable feats in military history.
Entebbe International Airport serves as a hub for Eagle Air and Uganda Airlines, which are the country’s main airline carriers. In addition, Travelers may find it important that Eagle Air operates regional scheduled services and charter flights across East and Central Africa; with its second hub at Arua Airport, which is located within in the northern part of the country. Therefore, for individuals who would love to travel within different areas of this country, using Eagle Air would be the best option to go for.
Entebbe International Airport has modern infrastructure, which meets the needs of both passengers and airlines for example; there are two terminals such as the old terminal, which purposely handles domestic flights and some of the regional flights, and then the newer terminal which is only dedicated to handling international flights. The Newer terminal was a state-of-the-art facility, which was well-designed and officially opened in 2007 in order to enhance the overall passenger experience. More so, this terminal features spacious departures, multiple check-in counters, arrival halls, lounges where people can opt to stay, and many duty-free shops where individuals can visit and buy some of the essentials they need.
Entebbe Airport is known to have been going through renovation works, which are expected to be completed in 2035. However, travelers are able to access any part of the airport as soon as they arrive. In addition, the most interesting thing to know is that the airport has the capacity to handle a number of over 1,840,264 passengers using the airport.
The airport’s runway is 3,658 meters long and can accommodate a reasonable number of large, medium, and small size aircraft. Travelers arriving at the airport will be blessed with stunning views of the beautiful scenery at the airport as they land because the airport is situated near the shores of Lake Victoria, thereby pleasuring new arrivals into Uganda with the scenic beauty of the lake and its surroundings. Visitors can also have a clear view of the airport’s runway and Entebbe town, from a bird’s eye view as soon as they are landing.
Individuals have great opportunities to access a number of services and facilities while at the Entebbe International Airport hence, which makes them comfortable and feel at home as soon as they arrive in Uganda. and some of these include; restaurants that serve guests delicious dishes such as; international and local dishes, banks, forex bureau that enables travelers to change money, a left luggage office, fully functional automated teller machines and many others.
There are plenty of airport taxis stationed outside the arrival terminals of Entebbe Airport and visitors can hire these taxis to transport you to your hotels in Entebbe or Kampala City. The taxis have fully operating meters, so you do not have to worry about being cheated when paying your fare.
Passenger Airlines operating scheduled flights to Entebbe Airport include; Aerolink Uganda, Air Tanzania, Eagle Air, Airlink, Brussels Airlines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Fly Dubai, Precision Air, KLM, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Rwanda Air, Jambojet, Fly-SAX, Turkish Airlines and Uganda Airlines.
Requirements for entry in Entebbe International Airport.
It is important for visitors traveling to Entebbe Airport to take note of the following MUST have in order to be granted access into Uganda.
- A valid Uganda Tourist Visa which you can acquire for 50 USD, valid for 30 days. Alternatively, you can apply for an East African Tourist Visa at a fee of 100 USD, which is valid for 90 days and will grant you multiple entry into Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
- A valid passport (Must be at least 6 months valid).
- Medical Insurance and endeavor to make sure that your medical insurance plan provides coverage overseas.
- A valid yellow fever card
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about what is there to know about Entebbe International Airport and then book with our tours and travel companies such as; Achieve Global Safaris who offer the best tour packages and guidance while on your safari in Uganda.
