Uganda Airlines and The Boeing Company finalized an agreement on June 10, 2026, for the acquisition of 10 new aircraft. The transaction represents the largest fleet expansion for the national carrier since its commercial operations resumed in 2019.

The order is valued at approximately 3.7 trillion Ugandan shillings ($982 million) and includes eight passenger aircraft alongside two dedicated cargo aircraft. According to statements from State House Uganda, the acquisition is designed to bolster the country’s export economy and position Entebbe as a competitive regional aviation hub capable of challenging established networks in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Kigali.

Fleet expansion and cargo strategy

The cargo portion of the agreement includes a Boeing 767 converted freighter and a Boeing 737 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). Regional reporting indicates these dedicated freighters will primarily support Uganda’s export markets, specifically targeting the transport of coffee, flowers, and fish.

The eight passenger aircraft specified in the agreement will each feature a 294-seat capacity. While the exact Boeing model for the passenger jets was not explicitly named in the primary announcements, previous government funding documents have referenced Boeing Dreamliner aircraft. The new passenger capacity is intended to support the airline’s 10-year growth plan, which targets an expansion to 35 destinations.

This is a strategic investment in Uganda’s future and a major step towards establishing Uganda as a leading aviation hub in the region.

The official statement from Uganda Airlines emphasized the strategic nature of the investment. State House Uganda echoed this sentiment, noting that the fleet expansion will strengthen trade, tourism, and investment across the region.

Leadership and regional hub ambitions

The signing ceremony took place at State House Entebbe, attended by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Reports from regional outlets present conflicting information regarding the Boeing signatory. The Daily Star identified Brad McMullen, Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, as the representative, the agreement was signed by Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa.

This major capital investment follows a significant leadership change at the carrier. On February 16, 2026, President Museveni appointed veteran aviation executive Girma Wake as acting Chief Executive Officer. Wake, the former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, was brought in to rectify management issues and oversee the carrier’s strategic expansion.

Prior to this Boeing order, Uganda Airlines operated a mixed fleet. The carrier utilizes two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft for long-haul routes and four Bombardier CRJ-900LR jets for regional operations. The airline also recently added an Airbus A320-200 on a short-term wet lease to meet immediate capacity demands. The carrier currently serves 17 destinations and recently launched direct flights to London Gatwick, its third destination outside of Africa alongside Mumbai and Dubai.

AirPro News analysis

We view this 10-aircraft order as a highly ambitious pivot for Uganda Airlines, one that introduces significant operational complexity. Transitioning from a fleet built around Airbus widebody aircraft and Bombardier regional jets to incorporating a large Boeing contingent will require substantial investments in pilot training, maintenance infrastructure, and spare parts provisioning.

The decision to acquire converted freighters rather than factory-new cargo aircraft reflects a pragmatic approach to building dedicated freight capacity. This allows the airline to support national export initiatives without the higher capital expenditure associated with new-build freighters. The success of this expansion will likely depend heavily on the expertise of acting CEO Girma Wake, whose experience building Ethiopian Airlines into a dominant regional force aligns directly with Uganda’s goal of competing with established hubs in neighboring nations.

Sources: State House Uganda

Textron Aviation Inc. delivered the first Cessna SkyCourier to the Philippines on June 5, 2026, handing over a 19-passenger variant equipped with a passenger-to-freighter conversion kit to Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (LEASCOR). The delivery marks the entry into service for the twin-engine turboprop in the archipelagic nation, expanding passenger and cargo connectivity across remote island communities.

According to a press release issued by Textron Aviation, the aircraft will support domestic transport, tourism, and logistics operations, particularly in areas reliant on short or unpaved runways. LEASCOR operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative.

Operational Versatility for Island Networks

LEASCOR, established in 2016 as the air chartering arm of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, will utilize the aircraft’s conversion capabilities to alternate between full passenger and full cargo aircraft missions. The delivered variant can accommodate up to 19 passengers or be reconfigured to carry freight.

When operating in a Combi layout, the aircraft can transport nine passengers alongside cargo. In its dedicated freighter configuration, the SkyCourier offers a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds and is capable of handling three LD3 shipping containers.

Maj. Gen. Gilbert S. Llanto, representing LEASCOR and ACDI, stated that the aircraft strengthens the operator’s ability to provide reliable air connectivity to communities dependent on consistent service.

“What makes the SkyCourier invaluable is its purpose-built versatility, supported by twin-engine reliability, high payload capacity and the ability to operate on short and unpaved runways,” Llanto said. “With the SkyCourier, we are strengthening our capability to open underserved routes, enhance logistics and support regional economies.”

Aircraft Specifications and Regional Expansion

The Cessna SkyCourier is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features McCauley Propeller C779 110-inch aluminum four-blade propellers. The flight deck is equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. Performance specifications include a maximum cruise speed of 200 knots true airspeed (ktas) and a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.

The June 5 delivery follows the aircraft receiving type certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on August 21, 2024. Textron Aviation Vice President of SkyCourier Sales Juan Escalante noted that the platform enables operators to respond quickly to changing transportation needs while maintaining efficiency.

The Philippine delivery is part of a broader regional expansion for the aircraft type. On May 15, 2026, Textron Aviation delivered the first Cessna SkyCourier to the Republic of the Marshall Islands for use by AIR Marshall Islands. To support growing global demand, the manufacturer announced the completion of an expanded flight test hangar at its East Wichita Campus on May 29, 2026.

AirPro News analysis

The introduction of the Cessna SkyCourier into the Philippine market highlights a growing requirement for flexible, high-capacity utility turboprops in archipelagic regions. For operators like LEASCOR, the ability to rapidly switch between passenger and cargo configurations without requiring specialized ground support equipment provides a distinct economic advantage. We view the SkyCourier’s unpaved runway capability and standard LD3 container compatibility as critical factors for logistics networks operating outside major hub airports. As older utility aircraft in the region approach the end of their operational lifecycles, the SkyCourier is positioned to capture replacement demand in markets where infrastructure constraints dictate aircraft selection.

Sources: Textron Aviation

This article summarizes reporting by Aviation Week by Karen Walker.

The Boeing 777-9 has secured Type Inspection Authorization Phase 4B from the Federal Aviation Administration, clearing the way for agency personnel to directly participate in the aircraft’s final flight testing. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope announced the regulatory milestone on June 6, 2026, during the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

According to Aviation Week, the approval marks a critical transition for the delayed widebody program. The Phase 4B authorization permits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to evaluate the aircraft’s avionics, human factors, and stability and control systems in flight, shifting the focus from component-level validation to integrated operational assessments.

Advancing through the certification phases

The Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) process consists of five distinct phases. Pope noted that the previous Phase 4A was a smaller step, while Phase 4B represents one of the most substantial remaining hurdles before final certification.

“This authorization unlocks the largest remaining portion of our flight tests with the FAA that we can now go execute,”

Pope stated, as reported by Aviation Week. She added that the testing will now heavily focus on avionics and non-normal operations, allowing the manufacturer to validate checklists and system redundancies alongside regulators.

Timeline discrepancies and delivery targets

The manufacturer and the regulator have offered slightly different timelines for the final certification of the Boeing 777-9. During her June 6 remarks, Pope indicated that Boeing is focused on completing flight tests and achieving certification by the end of 2026.

However, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford provided a different estimate during the CAPA Americas Airline Leader Summit in late May 2026. Bedford stated that the agency expects to certify the Boeing 737 MAX 7 and Boeing 737 MAX 10 by the end of 2026, with the 777X program following in early 2027. Initial commercial deliveries of the 777-9 are currently projected for early 2027.

AirPro News analysis

The transition to TIA Phase 4B is a definitive signal that the FAA is satisfied with Boeing’s preliminary data and is ready to commit agency resources to in-flight validation. For a program that has faced years of delays, reaching this stage indicates that the aircraft’s core systems are stable enough for direct regulatory scrutiny.

We note that the slight divergence in certification timelines between Boeing and the FAA is standard for this phase of a major aircraft program. The FAA’s projection of early 2027 aligns with the agency’s current rigorous oversight posture, prioritizing thoroughness over manufacturer targets. Even if certification slips into 2027, the early 2027 delivery target remains plausible provided no major anomalies are discovered during the Phase 4B flight tests.

Sources: Aviation Week