Air Uganda has lost it’s Kigali Entebbe route to Rwandair after a temporary suspension of flights into Kigali International Airport by the Ugandan-based airline.

It is said that the Air Uganda had opted to operate the same route under a codeshare with RwandAir, airline officials have said as per report from NewTimes. The move means that about 337 passengers that hitherto travelled with Air Uganda daily on the Entebbe-Kigali route will be flying with RwandAir until the airline resumes operations.

According to Rebecca Asiimwe, the Air Uganda airport supervisor in Kigali, the new arrangement that started this month aims at reducing operational costs as well as enabling the airline to strengthen its visibility on the Entebbe-Mogadishu route.

“We thought that it was wise to operate through a codeshare agreement we signed with RwandAir last year and instead focus on other routes until we have sufficient aircraft for all the routes. Our passengers will still receive the same services through RwandAir as per code share arrangement” Asiimwe said.

Tony Barigye, the Rwanda Civil Aviation communication officer, confirmed the development, saying the sector watchdog was notified about the arrangement by both airlines.

Commenting on the development, John Mirenge, the RwandAir chief executive officer, is reported to have said that “the arrangement will allow the airlines continue to market their destination on their tickets as usual. A revenue sharing deal has been agreed…The initiative will ensure resource optimisation for both airlines.”

Air Uganda’s move follows South African Airways decision to also operate Johannesburg-Kigali route under a similar arrangement a few months ago.