According to Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCA) Spokesperson, Vianney Luggya, Entebbe International Airport has been expanded to the capacity of accommodating between 60-100 aircraft that will help in the facilitation of delegates expected in the country ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77(G-77)+ China Summit in January, 2024.
“We have enhanced the aircraft parking aprons; we now have more parking capacity, so that also is part of the preparations and it is very helpful. Entebbe International Airport has handled several similar conferences in the past; for instance in 2007, Uganda hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and Entebbe international airport ably facilitated the conference using the resources that we had. So we are more than ready to handle and facilitate all delegates that will come in for NAM through the arrival and departure processes” Vianney stated.
Vianney added the construction of the new terminal building will be accomplished by the end of December, 2023 and unveiled to the public while other ongoing construction projects will be accomplished by July next year
“Departing passengers will be driven and dropped off by the terminal building; a person will be getting out of the car and entering the building .there will be no more lifting of the luggage from the parking as it has been before” Vianney added.
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Entebbe Airport officials held a dry run simulating facilitation of guests to the NAM and G77+China Summits along Entebbe road to enable stakeholders involved plan accordingly.
Vianney, however appealed to the passengers especially on departure to arrive three hours before scheduled departure time not to miss their flights due to the increasing number of passengers during the festive season.
Last month, President Museveni inspected facilities and on-going construction projects at Entebbe International Airport.
The NAM Summit which will be held under the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Influence will attract more than 5,000 delegates including Heads of State from 134 countries.