RwandAir
Encyclopedia
RwandAir is an airline
with its head office on the grounds of Kigali International Airport
in Kigali
, Rwanda
. It is the national carrier operating services to East Africa
, Central Africa
, West Africa
, Southern Africa
and the Middle East
.
(23%), under the name RwandAir Express. It started operations on 27 April 2003. It initially leased a Boeing 737-500 from the Danish
airline Maersk Air
. It was later returned to Maersk Air
in May 2004. This was replaced by a leased McDonnell Douglas MD-82 from JetAfrica in June 2004. However, while on a service to the Netherlands
for Acvila Air
(Romania
), the aircraft was grounded. The grounding was due to old navigation maps and multiple technical problems resulting in Acvila Air
and JetAfrica being banned from Dutch
airspace. RwandAir Express replaced the aircraft with McDonnell Douglas MD-82 leased from Acvila Air
.
In the early 2000s the airline used the Telcom House as its head office.
In 2006, RwandAir leased Bombardier Dash 8 Q200 from the Ethiopia
n airline, Trans Nation Airways
(TNA).
In April 2007, RwandAir Express leased a Boeing 737-500 from Air Malawi
. This aircraft was grounded at Kigali International Airport
, apparently as part of a contract dispute.
In November 2008, RwandAir agreed on terms to wet lease
a Boeing 737-500 from Air Namibia
, which enabled the airline to resume service to Johannesburg
, which had ceased in April 2008.
RwandAir is compliant with International regulations. It is a registered IATA member, and has passed the IATA Operational Quality Standards (OQS) audit. It has interline agreements with various international carriers, who can issue RwandAir flights on their tickets. RwandAir is no longer in a code share agreement with Kenya Airways
on the Nairobi
/Kigali
route. RwandAir has expressed the intention to resume code sharing arrangements and expand service to Nairobi
.
In December 2008, press reports indicated that RwandAir was planning to expand its regional route network to include Dar-es-Salaam, Addis Ababa
, Mwanza
, Lusaka
and Kinshasa
. A new domestic service to Gisenyi
was also planned. New aircraft to service these new routes were reportedly being sourced.
In June 2009, the airline officially re-branded from Rwandair Express to RwandAir, because the new name implies a large, serious airline, while the 'Express' in the former name implies a small regional operation.
In October 2010, John Mirenge became the new CEO of RwandAir
In July 2010 the first of RwandAir's new Boeing 737-500's arrived, the second arrived on 20 October 2010. Both are leased from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and they have a two class configuration with 12 business class seats.
In August 2011 the airline took delivery of their first aircraft purchased directly from an airline manufacturer. All prior aircrafts operated by RwandAir have been either leased or bought as a second hand. The aircraft purchased in a Boeing 737-800 with Sky Interior a.k.a Boeing 737 Next Generation
, and is the only one operating among African air carriers. The flight departed from Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington
, United States
at 5:30 PM PST. It made its first stop in Keflavík International Airport
in Iceland
, then it headed for a second stop to Istanbul
, Turkey
. It finally arrived on Kigali
, Rwanda
, after a 20 hours flight.
In October 2011 RwandAir placed an option for two Boeing 787
s for delivery in 2015 or 2016. In the same month they also took delivery of their second Boeing Next-Generation 737-800.
(Star Alliance
) Ethiopian Airlines
(Star Alliance
- future) Air Uganda
In April 2009, it was announced that RwandAir will code share with Brussels Airlines
. All the flights operated by Brussels Airlines
between Brussels
and Kigali
will carry both a SN and a WB flight number. The commercial deal between Brussels Airlines
and RwandAir enables the Rwanda
n airline to sell 10 seats in economy class as a marketing carrier. In September 2009, RwandAir signed a code share agreement with Ethiopian Airlines
. In May 2010 the airline announced a new codeshare with Air Uganda
.
The airline has its head office on the top floor of the main building of Kigali International Airport
in Kigali
, Rwanda
. The airline previously had its head office in Centenary House in Kigali. The airline began moving its operations from Centenary House to the airport on Friday 14 May 2010. The airline was scheduled to be moved in by Monday 17 May 2010. At one previous point the airline had its head office in the Telcom House.
{| style="font-size:100%;"
|-
| width="200%" align="center" | Rwandair Fleet
|- valign="top"
|
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! style="width:2em;" |Aircraft!!InService!!Orders!!Notes
|-
|Boeing 737-500||2||0||
|-
|Boeing 737-800||2||1||
|-
|Bombardier CRJ200LR||2||0||
|-
|Bombardier DHC-8-102||1||0||
|-
|Total ||7 ||1||
|-
|}
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
with its head office on the grounds of Kigali International Airport
Kigali International Airport
Kigali International Airport , formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda...
in Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. It is the national carrier operating services to East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, Central Africa
Central Africa
Central Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda....
, West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
History
RwandAir was established on 1 December 2002 as a joint venture between the Government of Rwanda (77%) and Silverback Cargo FreightersSilverback Cargo Freighters
Silverback Cargo Freighters is a cargo airline based in Kigali, Rwanda. It operates two Douglas DC-8 freight aircraft.-Banned Status:Because of safety reasons, Silverback Cargo Freighters is on the list of air carriers banned in the EU so it cannot operate within the EU.-Africa:*Burundi**Bujumbura...
(23%), under the name RwandAir Express. It started operations on 27 April 2003. It initially leased a Boeing 737-500 from the Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
airline Maersk Air
Maersk Air
Maersk Air was a Danish low-fare airline, based in Dragør, Dragør Municipality; Maersk was part of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group. It operated from 1969 to 2005, when it was bought by Icelandic investment group Fons Eignarhaldsfélag and subsequently merged with their other Danish acquisition the same...
. It was later returned to Maersk Air
Maersk Air
Maersk Air was a Danish low-fare airline, based in Dragør, Dragør Municipality; Maersk was part of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group. It operated from 1969 to 2005, when it was bought by Icelandic investment group Fons Eignarhaldsfélag and subsequently merged with their other Danish acquisition the same...
in May 2004. This was replaced by a leased McDonnell Douglas MD-82 from JetAfrica in June 2004. However, while on a service to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
for Acvila Air
Acvila Air
JeTran Air is an airline based at Aurel Vlaicu International Airport in Bucharest. It operates scheduled passenger services in few holiday destinations throughout Europe and Wet lease services to other airlines under ACMI contracts.-History:...
(Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
), the aircraft was grounded. The grounding was due to old navigation maps and multiple technical problems resulting in Acvila Air
Acvila Air
JeTran Air is an airline based at Aurel Vlaicu International Airport in Bucharest. It operates scheduled passenger services in few holiday destinations throughout Europe and Wet lease services to other airlines under ACMI contracts.-History:...
and JetAfrica being banned from Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
airspace. RwandAir Express replaced the aircraft with McDonnell Douglas MD-82 leased from Acvila Air
Acvila Air
JeTran Air is an airline based at Aurel Vlaicu International Airport in Bucharest. It operates scheduled passenger services in few holiday destinations throughout Europe and Wet lease services to other airlines under ACMI contracts.-History:...
.
In the early 2000s the airline used the Telcom House as its head office.
In 2006, RwandAir leased Bombardier Dash 8 Q200 from the Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n airline, Trans Nation Airways
Trans Nation Airways
-Fleet:The Trans Nation Airways fleet includes the following aircraft :*2 Bombardier Dash 8-Q200...
(TNA).
In April 2007, RwandAir Express leased a Boeing 737-500 from Air Malawi
Air Malawi
Air Malawi Limited is an airline based in Blantyre, Malawi. It is the national airline of Malawi, wholly owned by the Malawi government and operates regional passenger services...
. This aircraft was grounded at Kigali International Airport
Kigali International Airport
Kigali International Airport , formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda...
, apparently as part of a contract dispute.
Wet lease
Aircraft leases are a number of types of leases used by airlines and other aircraft operators. Airlines lease aircraft from other airlines or leasing companies for two main reasons; to operate aircraft without the financial burden of buying them, and to provide temporary increase in capacity...
a Boeing 737-500 from Air Namibia
Air Namibia
Air Namibia is the national airline of Namibia, headquartered in Windhoek. It operates scheduled domestic, regional, and international passenger and cargo services under IATA airline designator SW and ICAO airline designator NMB. Its international hub is Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport,...
, which enabled the airline to resume service to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, which had ceased in April 2008.
RwandAir is compliant with International regulations. It is a registered IATA member, and has passed the IATA Operational Quality Standards (OQS) audit. It has interline agreements with various international carriers, who can issue RwandAir flights on their tickets. RwandAir is no longer in a code share agreement with Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways Ltd., more commonly known as Kenya Airways, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Kenya. The company was founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways. The carrier's head office is located in Embakasi, Nairobi, with its main base at Jomo Kenyatta International...
on the Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
/Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
route. RwandAir has expressed the intention to resume code sharing arrangements and expand service to Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
.
In December 2008, press reports indicated that RwandAir was planning to expand its regional route network to include Dar-es-Salaam, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
, Mwanza
Mwanza
Mwanza is a mid-sized port city on the southern shores of Lake Victoria in northwestern Tanzania. With an urban population of 1.2 million and a metropolitan population of 2 million, it is Tanzania's second largest city, following Dar es Salaam and ahead of other major Tanzanian cities of Arusha,...
, Lusaka
Lusaka
Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is located in the southern part of the central plateau, at an elevation of about 1,300 metres . It has a population of about 1.7 million . It is a commercial centre as well as the centre of government, and the four main highways of Zambia head...
and Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
. A new domestic service to Gisenyi
Gisenyi
Gisenyi is a city in Rubavu district in the Western Province of Rwanda. Gisenyi is contiguous with Goma, the city across the border in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The population of the city is about 106 000 .-Description:...
was also planned. New aircraft to service these new routes were reportedly being sourced.
In June 2009, the airline officially re-branded from Rwandair Express to RwandAir, because the new name implies a large, serious airline, while the 'Express' in the former name implies a small regional operation.
In October 2010, John Mirenge became the new CEO of RwandAir
In July 2010 the first of RwandAir's new Boeing 737-500's arrived, the second arrived on 20 October 2010. Both are leased from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and they have a two class configuration with 12 business class seats.
In August 2011 the airline took delivery of their first aircraft purchased directly from an airline manufacturer. All prior aircrafts operated by RwandAir have been either leased or bought as a second hand. The aircraft purchased in a Boeing 737-800 with Sky Interior a.k.a Boeing 737 Next Generation
Boeing 737 Next Generation
The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners...
, and is the only one operating among African air carriers. The flight departed from Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at 5:30 PM PST. It made its first stop in Keflavík International Airport
Keflavík International Airport
-Cargo airlines:-Ground transport:Transport between the airport and Reykjavik city is by road only. The distance is 50 km. A new fast freeway was opened 2008. The buses have a timetable adapted to the flight schedule. They go to and from the Reykjavik bus terminal, taking around 45 minutes...
in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, then it headed for a second stop to Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. It finally arrived on Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, after a 20 hours flight.
In October 2011 RwandAir placed an option for two Boeing 787
Boeing 787
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It seats 210 to 290 passengers, depending on the variant. Boeing states that it is the company's most fuel-efficient airliner and the world's first major airliner to use...
s for delivery in 2015 or 2016. In the same month they also took delivery of their second Boeing Next-Generation 737-800.
Destinations
RwandAir serves the following destinations (excluding codeshare destinations) (as of May 2011):- Burundi
- BujumburaBujumbura-Education:The University of Burundi is located in Bujumbura.Hope Africa University is located in BujumburaUniversité du Lac Tanganyika is located in Bujumbura-External links:**...
- Bujumbura International AirportBujumbura International AirportBujumbura International Airport is an airport in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.In 2008, the airport served 120,000 passengers.-Airlines and destinations:-Cargo airlines:...
- Bujumbura
- Republic of The Congo
- BrazzavilleBrazzaville-Transport:The city is home to Maya-Maya Airport and a railway station on the Congo-Ocean Railway. It is also an important river port, with ferries sailing to Kinshasa and to Bangui via Impfondo...
- Maya-Maya AirportMaya-Maya AirportMaya-Maya Airport is an airport located in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo.In 2004, the airport served 447,699 passengers.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:...
- Brazzaville
- Gabon
- LibrevilleLibrevilleLibreville is the capital and largest city of Gabon, in west central Africa. The city is a port on the Komo River, near the Gulf of Guinea, and a trade center for a timber region. As of 2005, it has a population of 578,156.- History :...
- Libreville International AirportLibreville International AirportLibreville Leon M'ba International Airport is an airportsituated in Libreville, Gabon. It is the main international airport in the country.Named after the first president of Gabon, Léon M'ba, it was the hub of former national airline Air Gabon until March 2006.-Airlines and destinations:-Cargo...
- Libreville
- Nigeria
- LagosLagosLagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
- Murtala Muhammed International Airport Begins 3 December
- Lagos
- Kenya
- MombasaMombasaMombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
- Moi International AirportMoi International AirportMoi International Airport , also Mombasa International Airport, or Mombasa Airport, is an airport in Kenya.-Location:Mombasa Airport, , is located in Mombasa District, Coast Province, in the city of Mombasa, in a township called Port Reitz, in southeastern Kenya, along the Indian Ocean coast.Its... - NairobiNairobiNairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
- Jomo Kenyatta International AirportJomo Kenyatta International Airport-Charter airlines:-Cargo airlines:-Other facilities:The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has its head office in the KAA Complex on the airport property. African Express Airways has its head office on the airport property...
- Mombasa
- Rwanda
- CyanguguCyanguguCyangugu is a city and capital of the Rusizi district of Western Province, Rwanda. The city lies at the southern end of Lake Kivu, and is contiguous with Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, but separated from it by the Ruzizi River...
- Kamembe Airport - GisenyiGisenyiGisenyi is a city in Rubavu district in the Western Province of Rwanda. Gisenyi is contiguous with Goma, the city across the border in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The population of the city is about 106 000 .-Description:...
- Gisenyi AirportGisenyi airport-Location:Gisenyi Airport , is located in Rwanda's Western Province, in Rubavu District, in the town of Gisenyi, at the International border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This location lies approximately , by air, northwest of Kigali International Airport, currently, the country’s... - KigaliKigaliKigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
- Kigali International AirportKigali International AirportKigali International Airport , formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda...
†
- Cyangugu
- South Africa
- JohannesburgJohannesburgJohannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
- OR Tambo International Airport
- Johannesburg
- Tanzania
- Dar es SalaamDar es SalaamDar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
- Julius Nyerere International AirportJulius Nyerere International AirportJulius Nyerere International Airport -History:The German colonial Government built the first airport in Tanganyika at Kurasini in Temeke District in 1918. It was called Mkeja Airport.... - KilimanjaroKilimanjaro RegionKilimanjaro is one of the 26 regions in Tanzania. The capital of the region is Moshi. Kilimanjaro region is home to Mount Kilimanjaro.Kilimanjaro Region is bordered to the North and East by Kenya, to the South by the Tanga Region, to the Southwest by the Manyara Region, and to the West by the...
- Kilimanjaro International AirportKilimanjaro International AirportKilimanjaro International Airport is the second, albeit small, international airport of Tanzania . It serves the Kilimanjaro area including the cities of Arusha and Moshi near Mount Kilimanjaro, and the international tourism industry based on Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro...
- Dar es Salaam
- Uganda
- EntebbeEntebbeEntebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
- Entebbe International AirportEntebbe International AirportEntebbe International Airport is the principal international airport of Uganda.-Location:It is located near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about from the capital, Kampala...
- Entebbe
- United Arab Emirates
- DubaiDubaiDubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
- Dubai International AirportDubai International AirportDubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
- Dubai
Codeshare agreements
RwandAir has the following codeshare agreements (at June 2010): Brussels AirlinesBrussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
(Star Alliance
Star Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
) Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines , formerly Ethiopian Air Lines, often referred to as simply Ethiopian, is an airline headquartered on the grounds of Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It serves as the country's flag carrier, and is wholly owned by the Government of Ethiopia...
(Star Alliance
Star Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
- future) Air Uganda
Air Uganda
Air Uganda is the designated national airline for Uganda. The company was formed in 2007 and began commercial flight operations on November 15, 2007...
In April 2009, it was announced that RwandAir will code share with Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
. All the flights operated by Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
between Brussels
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates...
and Kigali
Kigali International Airport
Kigali International Airport , formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda...
will carry both a SN and a WB flight number. The commercial deal between Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
and RwandAir enables the Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
n airline to sell 10 seats in economy class as a marketing carrier. In September 2009, RwandAir signed a code share agreement with Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines , formerly Ethiopian Air Lines, often referred to as simply Ethiopian, is an airline headquartered on the grounds of Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It serves as the country's flag carrier, and is wholly owned by the Government of Ethiopia...
. In May 2010 the airline announced a new codeshare with Air Uganda
Air Uganda
Air Uganda is the designated national airline for Uganda. The company was formed in 2007 and began commercial flight operations on November 15, 2007...
.
Head office
Kigali International Airport
Kigali International Airport , formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda...
in Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. The airline previously had its head office in Centenary House in Kigali. The airline began moving its operations from Centenary House to the airport on Friday 14 May 2010. The airline was scheduled to be moved in by Monday 17 May 2010. At one previous point the airline had its head office in the Telcom House.
Fleet
RwandAir operates the following aircraft (as of November 2011):{| style="font-size:100%;"
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| width="200%" align="center" | Rwandair Fleet
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{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! style="width:2em;" |Aircraft!!InService!!Orders!!Notes
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|Boeing 737-500||2||0||
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|Boeing 737-800||2||1||
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|Bombardier CRJ200LR||2||0||
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|Bombardier DHC-8-102||1||0||
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|Total ||
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Incidents and accidents
- On 12 November 2009, RwandAir Flight 205RwandAir Flight 205RwandAir Flight 205 was a Canadair CRJ-100 that crashed after an emergency landing at Kigali, Rwanda killing one passenger. The flight was operated by JetLink Express on behalf of RwandAir.-Accident:...
, a Bombardier CRJ-100, crashed into a VIP terminal shortly after an emergency landing at Kigali International AirportKigali International AirportKigali International Airport , formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda...
; out of the ten passengers and five crew, one passenger died.