RwandAir Media Center

RwandAir makes a firm order of a Q400 from Bombardier

Posted by The Corporate Communications Department on Mon, 22 Apr 2013

RwandAir Places Firm Order for Dual-Class Bombardier Q400 NextGen Airliner

Airline will become 12th operator of Q400 aircraft in Africa

Toronto, April 22, 2013 – Bombardier Aerospace and RwandAir of Kigali, Rwanda announced today that RwandAir has signed a firm purchase agreement for one Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner. Based on the list price of the Q400 NextGenaircraft, the order is valued at approximately $33 million US.

“As demand for domestic and regional travel in Africa accelerates, our 67-seat, dual-class Q400 NextGenaircraft will ensure RwandAir is well positioned to offer increased capacity on popular routes that are being opened and serviced with our 37-seat Bombardier Dash 8-200 aircraft,” said John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer, RwandAir. “The Q400 NextGenturboprop is the right aircraft to develop our domestic and regional market and to firmly support RwandAir on our path towards growth
and increased profitability. We are also complementing our new dual-class Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen regional jets by offering similar cabin amenities on the Q400 NextGenaircraft, providing for a seamless passenger service between the two aircraft models and aligning our total fleet strategy towards a unified passenger experience. We are developing the RwandAir brand and we are gaining momentum in the region through selection of the right aircraft and right services for our growing market.”

“As one of our newest and fast-growing customers, RwandAir is serving Africa’s expanding domestic and international markets and we are delighted that the carrier has yet again chosen Bombardier aircraft to further develop its network of short- and medium-haul destinations,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Q400 NextGenturboprop has proven its capability and flexibility in many regions of the world and is operating in diverse environments. We anticipate that it will serve RwandAir and its customers very well.” RwandAir will become the 12th operator of Q400 and Q400 NextGenaircraft in Africa, and its Q400 NextGen aircraft will join more than 40 Q400and Q400 NextGenaircraft that are already in service with, or have been ordered by, 11 operators in nine countries in Africa.

With the transaction announced today, Bombardier has taken firm orders for 468 Q400and Q400 NextGenaircraft. Worldwide,Q400 and Q400 NextGenaircraft have transported more than 243 million passengers and have logged over 3.8 million flight hours and more than 4.1 million take-offs and landings in service with more than 40 operators in over 30 countries on five continents.

First of two Boeing 737-700NG delivered

Posted by The Corporate Communications Department on Sat, 20 Apr 2013

Airline to keep a young and modern set of four Boeing 737 NG series to reach other continents

Kigali – April 17, 2013. This sunny afternoon, RwandAir acquired a Boeing 737-700NG amidst the presence of high profile government guests and partners. The aircraft performed the customary low-pass and was received with a firemen salute as it was taxying on the parking bay. In attendance was Honorable Prof. Silas Lwakabamba the Minister of Infrastructure as a guest of honor, the state Minister in charge of transport Honorable Alexis Nzahabwanimana, distinguished guests comprised of the RwandAir steering committee, board of directors, and the management at large.

In his remarks, the CEO of RwandAir, John Mirenge, noted that the new acquisition comes to complement a young and competitive fleet. He said: “Today’s acquisition begins the decommissioning process that we have been anticipating that replaces the two aging Boeing 737-500 leased from GECAS. We expect to receive a similar aircraft in less than one month. We will then own and operate a well-diversified set of four Boeing 737 Next Generation series that are relatively young in operation, offer the latest in cabin amenities and in-flight entertainment and widen our network reach.”

This aircraft offers the highest operating range capability, about 6,000 km that could easily offer direct flights to south-western Europe, Minor and Monsoon Asia and the Middle East. We also get to easily cover more western Africa destinations, with the firm intention to launch Accra in Ghana and Douala in Cameroon by June, in approximately 6 weeks.

In his remarks, the guest of honor noted that Kigali is strategically positioned to become the economic turntable where east meets west, and reiterated the government’s commitment to support the airline through the projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure and other sources. The Kigali International Airport is receiving a much needed expansion and the Bugesera Airport project is in good progress.

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RwandAir launches direct flights to Mwanza

Posted by The Corporate Communications Department on Tue, 3 Jul 2012

RwandAir launches direct flights to Mwanza

Second largest city in Tanzania served 3 times a week from Kigali

Kigali, 2nd of July 2012

RwandAir, the national carrier of Rwanda and Africa’s fastest growing airline, launched direct flights from Kigali to Mwanza, the rock city of Tanzania today. Mwanza is the 3rd destination for the airline in Tanzania and the 14th destination in its rapidly growing network.
The three weekly flights will depart from Kigali at 11:15 HRS (Local Time) and arrive in Mwanza at 13:15HRS (Local Time). The return flights depart from Mwanza at 13:45HRS (Local Time) to reach Kigali at 13:45HRS (Local Time).

In a statement to the press, RwandAir CEO John Mirenge said: “Our aim is to build a convenient network for our clients and expand our operations to key cities in the region. Mwanza doesn’t have many direct flights, as most passengers connect through Dar es Salaam. From today, we offer travelers a much more convenient product by connecting through Kigali. We are happy to offer a new alternative”.
Onboard the first from Kigali to Mwanza today were many invited guests from the Diplomatic, Business, Travel and Tourism communities from both countries, Tanzania and Rwanda.

On arrival at Mwanza airport, the airline’s Commercial Director, Bert van der Stege, said: “We’re delighted to be here in Mwanza today and literally improve connections between Rwanda and Tanzania. It is now easier to visit the neighbouring country from Mwanza, do business with trade partners across the border or reach cities such as Dubai, Johannesburg, Bujumbura, Kamembe and Entebbe”.

RwandAir is famous for conveniently connecting passengers through Kigali International Airport. Small in size, the airport is able to provide seamless transfers and a personalized service that make connecting through the heart of Africa a great alternative for passengers.

RwandAir is the first airline to offer the new direct flights between Mwanza and Kigali. At present no other airline offers flights between Tanzania and Rwanda. The new flights operate from Kigali every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday with a Bombardier Dash8 -200 aircraft with a 37 passenger seating capacity.

Note to Editors:

About Mwanza

Mwanza is the capital city of Mwanza region on the shores of Lake Victoria in northwestern Tanzania. With over 800,000 inhabitants, Mwanza is the second largest city in Tanzania and a main business centre for regions around Lake Victoria and neighbouring countries of Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. The city is surrounded by rocky hills dotted with massive granite boulders. Mwanza and other regions around Lake Victoria are rich in minerals and precious metals. Outside of Mwanza, small farms dot a rolling, semi-arid savannah. Local industries include fishing, textiles, bottling and light manufacturing. Despite its size, Mwanza city centre is compact and easy to navigate on foot.

About RwandAir

Operating from Kigali as its hub in the heart of Africa, RwandAir is the fastest growing airline on the African continent. RwandAir’s fleet currently consists of four Boeing 737 aircraft and one Bombardier Dash-200 series. Two brand new CRJ900 regional jets are on order from Bombardier, scheduled to arrive in October this year with an option of a further two in 2013. RwandAir serves two Domestic destinations, all the East African capitals and many regional cities such as Nairobi, Entebbe, Mombasa, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Mwanza with daily flights. The airline also serves Johannesburg, Dubai, Lagos, Libreville and Brazzaville. More destinations on the African continent will be added in November 2012.

RwandAir makes a firm order for two Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen aircraft

Posted by The Corporate Communications Department on Mon, 19 Mar 2012

RwandAir’s makes a firm order for two Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen aircraft

Delivery for both aircraft expected in October 2012. Transaction includes options on two additional CRJ900 NextGen regional jets.

KIGALI, March 19, 2012 RwandAir announced today that it has placed a firm order for two CRJ900 NextGen regional jets with Bombardier Aerospace. The transaction also includes options on two additional CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. RwandAir will become the first operator of CRJ900 aircraft in Eastern Africa.read more...

RwandAir gets new Board of Directors

Posted by The Corporate Communications Department on Mon, 16 Jan 2012

Long time aviator and former airline executive Mr. Girma Wake to chair new board; tourism sector expected to have bigger input in airline’s growth plans

In line with its expansion plans, the national carrier has unveiled a new board of directors who will steer the airline forward under the Chairmanship of the newly appointed Mr. Girma Wake. Rwanda Development Board’s Head of Tourism and Conservation Ms. Rica Rwigamba also joins the new board as a board member. Ms. Rwigamba’s input and experience in the tourism sector will be vital in aligning the airlines growth plans with the country’s overall tourism agenda.

The full board of RwandAir will now include Mr. Girma Wake – Board Chairman, Ms. Rica Rwigamba, Ms. Isabelle Kalihangabo, Mr. Caleb Rwamugaza, Ms. Laurence Mukarugwiza, Mr. Sudadi Kaitana and Mr. Theo Demeyo Uwayu.

Mr. Wake joins the board of RwandAir after having served Ethiopian Airlines for 37 years; 15 of them as Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines became one of the best airlines in the world and underwent massive expansion and modernization.

The reconstitution of the new board of directors for RwandAir comes at a time when Government of Rwanda is positioning its self to attract more travel and investment into the country. The national carrier is seen as a vital link in the country’s ambitious growth plans especially its plans to grow tourism and attract foreign direct investments.