The ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly expand the national aviation industry, including doubling the number of passengers transported by the national carrier, RwandAir, and enhancing its cargo transport capabilities within the next five years.
The announcement is part of the RPF's five-year political programme, which the party aims to implement if re-elected during the general elections slated for July 14-16.
Fleet and Destinations
Currently, RwandAir operates a fleet of 13 aircraft, including three Airbus A330s, seven Boeing 737s, two Bombardier CRJ900s, and two De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400s. The airline serves nearly 30 destinations across East, Central, West, and Southern Africa, as well as the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
Infrastructure Developments
The RPF manifesto outlines plans to promote green transport in cooperation with the private sector. Key infrastructure projects include completing the construction of a new international airport in Bugesera District and expanding and repairing the Musanze and Rubavu airports.
CEO's Vision
Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, emphasized the importance of expanding destinations for business connectivity and trade enhancement. 'As a landlocked nation, we recognize the importance of air freight in Rwanda's economic growth across Africa and beyond. Our geographic location at the heart of Africa enables us to connect every part of the continent, and we eagerly anticipate expanding this connectivity even further,' she said.
Cargo Operations
RwandAir also plans to improve its cargo transport services using dedicated cargo planes. 'Cargo is really a key growth area for us, and throughout the pandemic, it was the one revenue stream that was growing year-on-year,' Makolo stated.
Customer Experience
RwandAir is enhancing customer experience through partnerships with other airlines, allowing passengers to earn and redeem points across reciprocal route networks and access airport lounges at hubs in Doha and Kigali.
Educational Initiatives
The RPF's manifesto includes the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills (CEAS), a model school to teach piloting and airport management skills. This initiative aims to build local capacity and empower the labor force in the aviation industry in the region and beyond.
Inauguration of RCATIC
Earlier this month, the Rwanda Civil Aviation Training and Innovation Centre (RCATIC) was inaugurated, marking a significant advancement for the country's aviation sector. Andrew Mutabaruka, a quality assurance officer at RCATIC, stated that the new training facility aims to address the shortage of aviation professionals and reduce the high costs of training.
'This school will increase the number of aviation professionals nationally and help close gaps globally, especially in Africa, where the aviation industry is still growing,' Mutabaruka said.
The RPF's comprehensive aviation expansion plan is expected to propel Rwanda's aviation industry to new heights, fostering economic growth and enhancing connectivity across the continent and beyond.
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