International passenger and cargo traffic at Entebbe International Airport declined in the first quarter of 2026, with authorities linking the drop to disruptions in global air travel, particularly tensions in the Middle East.
Data released by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority shows that international arrivals fell from 260,434 between January and March 2025 to 239,850 in the same period this year, representing a 7.9 percent decline. Departures also dropped by 8.5 percent.
“The reduction in international passenger and cargo traffic during the 2026 quarter compared to the same period of last year is partly attributed to the impact of the Middle East situation on air transport, which mainly affected March 2026 traffic,” the Authority said.
The Middle East has in recent months experienced escalating tensions that triggered widespread airspace closures and flight disruptions across key aviation routes. Major hubs such as Dubai and Doha were affected, with some airports temporarily halting or limiting operations, disrupting global travel networks.
Several international airlines suspended or reduced flights to the region, while others were forced to reroute aircraft to avoid conflict zones, leading to delays and cancellations far beyond the Middle East. The disruptions have had a ripple effect on long-haul routes linking Africa, Europe and Asia.
At one point, thousands of flights were cancelled and major transit airports such as Dubai International Airport saw significant operational disruptions, affecting passenger connections worldwide and reducing traffic volumes across multiple regions.
Despite the quarterly decline, Entebbe recorded mixed performance in other areas. Domestic arrivals rose sharply by 43.4 percent to 4,108 passengers, up from 2,864 in the same period last year.
Aircraft movements also increased from 7,817 to 8,420, while overflights grew slightly from 6,258 to 6,423, indicating sustained activity in Uganda’s airspace.
On a month-to-month basis, international arrivals posted a modest increase of 2.7 percent in March 2026, rising to 85,020 from 82,750 recorded in March 2025. However, departures declined by 8.6 percent over the same period.
Cargo exports were also hit, dropping significantly from 3,886.2 metric tonnes in March 2025 to 2,130.3 metric tonnes in March 2026, reflecting the broader slowdown in international air transport.
The figures highlight the vulnerability of Uganda’s aviation sector to global shocks, especially disruptions along key transit corridors that connect the country to major international markets.