Rwanda, with the world’s first drone port under construction, also has a new international airport planned and recently took possession of its first wide body aircraft — an investment expected to open up new markets in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
The 244-seat wide body Airbus A330-200, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, is a new product in Africa and RwandAir is the first airline in East Africa to get one, according to Aviation International News.
RwandAir’s latest purchase comes at a time when major airlines in the region are struggling with debt and reducing their fleet size or unable to maintain them, The East African reported.
London-based budget African Airline Fastjet plans to reduce its fleet from five to three leased aircraft to cut costs and reassure investors as the airline bleeds money, This Is Money reported.
Kenya Airways is seeking about $1 billion in investment to turn a profit after announcing losses for four consecutive years.
The 7-year-old national carrier, RwandAir has yet to turn a profit, but the government has a long-term vision and is investing heavily to make the airline competitive, said RwandAir CEO John Mirenge. “We are building for the future,” he told AIN.
The Rwanda government also plans to begin construction of a new, $600-million international airport 50 kilometers outside of Kigali with the capacity to handle 4 million passengers a year. The existing airport accommodates 1 million.
RwandAir serves 16 domestic and international destinations in Africa and the Middle East and is negotiating a strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines. It hopes to serve 25 targeted destinations by 2018, and has grown 20 percent each year since its launch.
The airline expects to take delivery of a second wide body, an A330-300, in November. It also plans to add three more 737-800s by the end of May 2017.
With the acquisition of the new wide body, RwandAir will be able to compete globally, Mirenge said. It will open new long-haul routes to Mumbai, Guangzhou, London and Paris.
RwandAir is also eyeing the Airbus A350-900, Airbus’s newest jetliner. “We have a plan to launch flight service to New York with the A350,” Mirenge said.
Rwanda is building the world’s first drone port, and two drones were shipped there in August for trial. They’ll be used to deliver medical supplies in remote parts of Rwanda — the first country to embrace such technology for civilian and commercial use, KT Press Rwanda reported.
The country’s tech friendly policies were instrumental in attracting the pioneering drone project, according to KT Press.
