RwandAir, the national carrier of Rwanda and one of Africa’s fastest growing airlines, will launch direct flights from Kigali to three new destinations. Accra, Douala and Juba will be served from its hub in Kigali during this coming summer season. The carrier has seen impressive growth in recent years and in 2012 carried 67 per cent more passengers and enjoyed a 60 per cent increase in revenue compared to 2011, despite no increase in capacity.
This year the focus at RwandAir is on fleet renewal with new Bombardier CRJ900s and Boeing 737-700s joining the fleet, while it is working on the implementation of a new bank structure at Kigali Airport which will be supported by its is expanded route network.
“With the replacement of older Boeing 737-500 with Boeing 737-700 NGs and the re-design of our current pattern of operations, we are able to enhance the efficiency of our network. Improving connectivity is key for us to attract more passengers and the new schedule effective June 1, 2013 will have a very positive impact on our passenger numbers and revenue.”
Bert van der Stege
Commercial Director, RwandAir
The network expansion will begin on June 1, 2013 when the new routes between Kigali and Accra, Ghana and Douala, Cameroon are introduced. Accra will be linked to Rwandan capital five times each week while Douala will be served four times weekly. Both routes will be flown using a two-class Next-Generation 737 offering a Business and Economy product. Juba in South Sudan will be added to the network from July 1, 2013 and will be served three times weekly with a CRJ900 regional jet.
“With the replacement of older Boeing 737-500 with Boeing 737-700 NGs and the re-design of our current pattern of operations, we are able to enhance the efficiency of our network,” said Bert van der Stege, commercial director, RwandAir. “Improving connectivity is key for us to attract more passengers and the new schedule effective June 1, 2013 will have a very positive impact on our passenger numbers and revenue.”
The new flights offer excellent connectivity to the RwandAir network, which now consists of 16 destinations. The airline believes its proposition of connecting passengers through Kigali International Airport, which still relatively small in size, means it can offer more seamless transfers and a much more personalised service to customers. This, it claims, ensures connecting through the heart of Africa on RwandAir is an excellent alternative for passengers, compared to bigger and busier airports in the region.
“A new schedule, effective June 1, 2013 allows us to expand, add new destinations and develops our airline and Kigali airport as transit hub. We will be welcoming many more visitors to Rwanda,” added John Mirenge, chief executive officer, RwandAir.
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