Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has delivered the first two CRJ900 regional aircraft to Uganda National Airlines.

Placing an order for four CRJ900s last July, the airline has chosen the aircraft for its forthcoming debut. It will operate the jets in a dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats.

Taking place at Bombardier’s facility in Mirabel, Canada, the delivery will also see Uganda National Airlines become the first operator in Africa to select the new CRJ Series ATMOSPHÈRE cabin.

According to SoftPower News, the airline will fly to several destinations, including Lusaka, Kinshasa, Nairobi, Dar es Salam, Harare, Mogadishu, Kigali, and Addis Ababa.

“We look forward to providing the most modern passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across Africa.”

Uganda National Airlines CEO Ephraim Bagenda said: “We are thrilled to commence our operations with the world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across Africa.”

According to Bombardier, 21 operators are flying 58 CRJ Series jets in Africa. The company has so far received firm orders for 1,957 CRJ Series regional jets.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer said: “We congratulate Uganda Airlines for taking delivery of their very first CRJ900 jetliner fitted with the ATMOSPHÈRE cabin in a dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats.

“The CRJ Series is recognised for its superior economics and efficiency and I am confident that it will be the stepping stone for the development of Uganda’s regional air travel.”

Meanwhile, Uganda’s Works and Transport Minister Monica Azuba Ntege wrote on Twitter that she has invited Bombardier to establish a training and maintenance facility in Uganda, adding that the aircraft will touch down at Entebbe Airport on 23 April.