RwandAir is adding five leased Airbus A330 aircraft as Rwanda’s national carrier prepares to open new routes and restore services to major destinations in Europe and Asia.
The Rwandan national carrier plans to double its overall fleet over the next five years, with Frankfurt, Mumbai and Guangzhou among the markets being considered. Acting Chief Commercial Officer Reuben Mbonye told Aviation Week that Europe and the Far East are key priorities for the carrier.
Frankfurt, Germany, is being assessed as a potential addition to RwandAir’s European network, which already includes destinations such as London, Paris and Brussels. The carrier is also looking at returning to Mumbai, India, and Guangzhou, China, both of which have previously featured on its network. Reinstating these routes would strengthen Kigali’s links with major Asian commercial centres.
RwandAir received its first additional Airbus A330-200 in August 2026. The aircraft, configured for 226 passengers, has entered service and is being used to increase frequencies to Paris and Brussels. Four more A330s are expected to arrive progressively.
The additional wide-body aircraft will also support the airline’s passenger and cargo operations. RwandAir is targeting more than 2.1 million passengers annually by 2028/29, compared with just over one million in 2023/24.
Europe is also being viewed as an important market for its cargo business. The airline’s plans coincide with the construction of the New Kigali International Airport at Bugesera, a major infrastructure project being developed with Qatar Airways. The airport is valued at approximately $2.6 billion.
Its first phase is expected to be operational in 2028, with capacity for up to seven million passengers a year. A second phase planned for around 2032 would raise capacity to 14 million passengers. Bugesera is expected to provide considerably more capacity than Kigali International Airport and give RwandAir a larger base for long-haul operations. The airline is also building connections through international partnerships.
A 2026 agreement with EgyptAir provides additional links through Kigali to destinations including Cairo, Rome and Amman, while its partnership with Qatar Airways connects passengers to a broader global network.
With additional aircraft, a larger airport and a wider network of partners, RwandAir is positioning Kigali as an increasingly important link between African, European and Asian markets.
