Turkish Airlines has announced plans to begin direct, non-stop flights from Istanbul to Entebbe International Airport starting in July 2025. The news was shared by Amos Wekesa, CEO of Great Lakes Safaris, through a post on his X account (formerly Twitter). This upcoming route will mark Uganda’s second direct flight connection with Europe, following the launch of Uganda Airlines’ London service scheduled for May 18.
Wekesa recently traveled to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania at the invitation of Turkish Airlines’ regional office, where he was asked to present Uganda to tour operators in those countries. According to him, the trip underscored a growing recognition of the need to promote Uganda more actively in lesser-known European markets. “The ticket wasn’t the excitement, but the fact that they want someone to push Uganda,” he said, noting that Turkish Airlines had selected only one representative each from Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda to take part in the campaign.
Currently, Turkish Airlines flies to over 60 destinations across Africa, placing it second only to Ethiopian Airlines in terms of African connectivity. Wekesa pointed out that many European nations still lack awareness about Uganda, and without direct marketing and strategic partnerships, tourism potential from those regions could remain largely untapped. The new flight route is expected to improve access and visibility for Uganda in Europe’s emerging travel markets.
