RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, has announced the suspension of several of its West African routes following the closure of Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) airspace to Rwandan aircraft. The decision, rooted in ongoing political tensions, has forced the airline to re-evaluate its regional operations.
Speaking to journalists in Kigali on May 12, on the sidelines of the 13th Aviation Stakeholders Convention and the 2nd African Aviation Safety and Operations Summit, RwandAir CEO Yvonne Makolo expressed her disappointment at how political conflicts are interfering with aviation.
“The impact of DR Congo airspace being blocked for Rwanda — it is very unfortunate that politics enters aviation. But we are working through that. Unfortunately, we had to suspend some routes, like Brazzaville, Abuja, Cotonou, because the flight time became a bit long,” said Makolo.
Due to the rerouting needed to avoid DRC’s airspace, flying to some Western destinations became economically and operationally unsustainable. In response, the airline is shifting its focus to East and Southern Africa.
“We are looking at opening new routes,” Makolo continued. “More immediate, the first ones that are coming are Mombasa and Zanzibar. Until the issue is resolved, we focus more on the eastern side and southern side of the continent.”
RwandAir currently operates a fleet of 14 aircraft, including Airbus A330s, Boeing 737s, Bombardier CRJ-900s, and De Havilland Q400s. It serves more than 30 destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The airline plans to expand its fleet to 25 aircraft within five years as part of its long-term growth strategy.
Despite the airspace restrictions, the airline remains a key player in the region. Over 60% of passengers passing through Kigali International Airport fly with RwandAir. In 2023, the airline generated RWF 620.6 billion in revenue—an 80% increase from RWF 341 billion the previous year.
As RwandAir shifts its focus to new routes like Mombasa and Zanzibar, the airline remains committed to navigating the turbulent skies of regional politics while continuing to grow its footprint across the African continent.
Despite the setbacks in West Africa, RwandAir’s strategic focus on East African routes and its ongoing fleet expansion position it well for continued growth and regional leadership in the coming years.
