RWANDAIR

Discover the world with RwandAir RwandAir is the ambitious African airline which punches above its weight - much like the country it proudly carries its flag for, Rwanda

From humble beginnings the airline has stretched its wings and embarked on its aim to become the continent’s premier African airline. Based in the heart of Africa, RwandAir began operations on December 1, 2002 as the new national carrier for Rwanda, under the name Rwandair Express. In 2009 the fledgling carrier officially rebranded to become RwandAir, based at Kigali International Airport.

Nearly two decades after its foundation RwandAir had developed its Kigali hub to offer customers 29 destinations with short and medium-haul flights across Africa, and long-haul destinations to Brussels, Dubai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, London and Tel Aviv. RwandAir invested to create a fleet of 12 aircraft and fuelled its bold long-haul, wide bodied expansion plans, with two Airbus A330s offering the airline’s customers a choice of three cabins, including international Business Class with fully-flat beds, for the discerning traveller. The airline also operates six Boeing B737s serving mid-haul routes within Africa and four Bombardier aircraft, providing essential fast regional connections to destinations, such as Nairobi.

While the pandemic outbreak has clearly slowed down the global aviation sector, plans are well underway to develop a new airport for the ambitious African airline, to replace RwandAir’s present Kigali home. A multi-million dollar investment will see the building of Bugesera International Airport, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure to meet the requirements of the rapidly developing air transport sector of Rwanda. RwandAir has expanded to opening up Rwanda to new markets for both trade and tourism.

It has been particularly successful in encouraging the growth of tourism, especially for premium travellers looking to experience Rwanda’s beautiful unspoilt rolling landscape, game reserves with world-class hotels and its world-famous mountain gorillas. RwandAir has helped put Rwanda firmly back on the tourist map and acted as an ambassador for the country, through its warm and welcoming service - on the ground and in the air.

Rwanda’s beautiful natural landscape, attracting visitors from all over the world, is cherished and celebrated by RwandAir. The airline recognises that air travel has an impact on the environment and is committed to reducing this by embedding sustainability in its operations. It daily works to reduce waste, remove any unnecessary weight,

constantly improve its fuel efficiency and take pride in helping to preserve RwandAir’s amazing environment.

While sustainability remains RwandAir’s long-term goal, in the short-term it has had to tackle the challenges posed by coronavirus. To counter the spread of COVID-19, earlier this year Rwandan airspace was closed from March 20, 2020 to protect the airline and the country until flights resumed nearly five months later on August 1.

During that time, RwandAir operated a number of repatriation flights and cargo flights to support exports and transport of essential medical supplies, primarily to London and Brussels in Europe and to Guangzhou in China.

RwandAir ensured the liquidity of the business so it could emerge once travel restrictions were relaxed. With the safety and security of RwandAir’s customers and staff of paramount importance, a deepclean programme of all aircraft and airport operations took place while commercial flights were suspended. It also introduced world-class hygiene and safety protocols to protect customers and staff once operations resumed to rebuild passenger confidence to travel safely once more.

When countries started to relax travel restrictions, RwandAir introduced a gradual return to service and focused on rebuilding its African routes first. The carrier is currently operating 20 out of its 29 routes, accounting for almost 70 per cent of the airline’s total network. With constant monitoring of its best performing routes, RwandAir has built in flexibility to respond to changes in market performance as the situation evolves.

The resumption of long-haul routes is key to reinstating links between Africa and the rest of the world to enable the return of essential trade as well as business and leisure travel. Just recently RwandAir resumed long-haul flights to London and Brussels. However, the airline has now connected Kigali with London’s Heathrow Airport, the UK’s biggest airport, to take advantage of a bigger catchment market for premium business and leisure travel and significantly improve the traveller experience.

As the world slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and the aviation sector adapts to the ‘new normal’, RwandAir has met the challenges head on, adjusting its network and operations to take account of the evolving travel restrictions. The airline will continue to dare to dream, look for new untapped markets and opportunities, grow once demand returns and ensure it is the beating heart of African aviation.

RwandAir is based at Kigali International Airport, Main Building, Top Floor. P.O. Box 7275, Kigali Rwanda Tel. +250 788 177 000 Email info@rwandair.com

www.rwandair.com