By Victor Shalton
RwandAir Continues Fleet Expansion with New Airbus A330-200
RwandAir, the national flag carrier of Rwanda, has recently received its third long-haul aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, which will allow the airline to further expand its long-haul operation between Europe, Middle East and Africa. The aircraft, registered 9XR-WX, is based at the carrier’s hub in Kigali and offers customers a leading experience in the skies with 30 seats in business class and 222 seats in economy class.
RwandAir has a mix of regional and long-haul routes, with a focus on connecting underserved markets and driving economic growth in the region.
This acquisition is part of RwandAir’s ambitious expansion plans to strengthen its presence in the global aviation market. The airline has been rapidly growing its fleet size and route network over the past few years, with a focus on connecting Rwanda to the rest of Africa and beyond. With the addition of the new Airbus A330-200, RwandAir’s fleet size will now stand at 13 aircraft, consisting of three long-haul, one freighter, and nine short-haul aircraft.
“We are delighted to welcome another Airbus A330 to our young and expanding fleet,” RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo said in a statement. “Our customers can expect the best service from us and we look forward to offering a new level of comfort and connectivity on board our new aircraft as we continue to expand our reach across the globe.”
The airline is set to operate the new wide-body aircraft to its key destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including London, Brussels, Lagos, and Dubai. This will provide customers with greater flexibility and more travel options. RwandAir has been building a strong reputation for its quality of service, reliability, and efficiency, and is expected to continue growing in popularity among travelers.
As the airline continues to grow and expand, it will be interesting to see how it continues to innovate and adapt to the changing needs of the aviation industry.
In addition to the new aircraft, RwandAir also received its first dedicated freighter aircraft in November 2022. The carrier has been expanding its cargo services to meet the growing demand for air freight in Rwanda and the rest of Africa.
The freighter aircraft will enhance RwandAir’s cargo capacity and support the country’s economic growth by improving its connectivity with global markets.
RwandAir’s expansion plans are in line with the Rwandan government’s vision to transform the country into a regional hub for business, tourism, and trade.
The airline’s growth strategy is expected to create new job opportunities, increase tourism, and improve Rwanda’s connectivity with the rest of the world. With the acquisition of the new Airbus A330-200 and other recent developments, RwandAir is well-positioned to become a major player in the global aviation industry.
Victor Shalton’s love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.
