Uganda Airlines has dismissed media reports that the National carrier is seeking Shs85bn to buy a new CRJ90 engine (Bombardier engine).
Parliament this week rejected the proposal by the Airlines to be given the Shs85Bn for purchasing the new engine, saying that the bombardiers are still new so there is no need.
In an interview with this website, Rahim Shakila Lamar, the Corporate Affairs & Public Relations Manager at Uganda Airlines, clarified that the Shs85bn Uganda Airlines was seeking Parliament to approve the annual allocation from Government for the National Carrier operations but not for the engine.
“The cost of the CRJ engine is approximately USD 7.5m ( about UShs26bn) which is a fraction of the UShs85bn budget,” Shakila said.
She further explained that the engine is meant to be a reserve so that in case one fails, it is replaced immediately without causing disruptions which is an industry practice.
“Otherwise if we have CRJ in AOG (Aircraft on Ground) mode because of engine failure, we might be grounded for some time while in the queue waiting to result in delays, cancellation of flights, and loss of charter business,” Shakila explained, adding: “This would mean loss of business.”
She further added that aircraft engine failure can happen due to foreign object damage or bird strikes and repairing the damaged engine is costly and takes time.
“Engine failures can not be controlled due to unpredictable environments in which the fleet is operated,” Shakila said, adding that if the engine is not in reserve, it may cause disruptions in the operations of the airline.
