Rwanda: Rwandair on the move

The company might soon become the best (world class) airline in entire east and central Africa

RwandAir new routes boon to business community


By Saul Butera, The New Times-Rwanda

The Rwandan private sector is highly upbeat about new opportunities presented by the impending launch of RwandAir’s second destination into Central and West Africa. “The flight to Libreville which will be operated via Brazzaville with full rights to uplift passengers between these two destinations has recorded higher bookings than ever for any new destination launched by the airline in the recent past,” RwandAir said in a statement.

The optimism shown by the local business community in these new destinations is being perceived by many as a positive indicator of confidence by the local business community in the new markets now served by direct flights out of Kigali. According to the Private Sector Federation, hardly two months after launching Kigali-Brazzaville route, there has been a steady flow of members of the business community travelling to the Republic of Congo on business prospecting missions.

Consequently, the government, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry in conjunction with Rwanda Development Board, has sponsored a trade fair in Brazzaville dubbed “The First Rwanda – Congo Brazzaville Trade Fair” scheduled for May 28 – 30, 2011. Among the key local companies expected to participate are Inyange, Sorwathe, and Bourbon Coffee. In an earlier interview with RwandAir CEO, John Mirenge, he confirmed that the airline is focused on carefully selecting new destinations that will not only ensure connections for Rwanda, but also those that present strategic investment and business opportunities.

Kigali–Libreville flights will operate three times a week; Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Libreville, located on the west coast of Africa along the banks of Komo River and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean becomes the fourth port city for RwandAir after Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Dubai. The Brazzaville route launched in March this year is expected to get a major boost from the planned triangular operation.

The airline will later this year take delivery of two new Boeing 737- 800. These aircraft will be the first to be fitted with the Boeing “Sky Interior” on the continent.