This archive report was first published on 22 December 2019.
December 22, 2019
RwandAir's ambitious expansion plans have hit a snag, with the airline forced to delay its fleet expansion due to unforeseen circumstances.
The airline had planned to introduce two new A330-900 Neo, an Airbus A321LR, and two Boeing 737-Max aircraft to reinforce existing routes and operate new ones. However, the back-to-back crashes involving Boeing 737 Max, including the Ethiopian Airline crash that claimed 157 lives, led to a re-evaluation of the airline's plans.
Speaking to The EastAfrican, RwandAir's global director of sales and operations, Jimmy Musoni, attributed the delays to changes in aircraft delivery times by the manufacturer. 'We shall have clear dates of delivery by the end of February,' he said.
Meanwhile, the airline has had to downgrade a few routes to accommodate new ones. The biggest news for RwandAir this year was the impending purchase of a stake in the airline by Qatar Airways.
Qatar Airways recently agreed to take a 60 per cent stake in Bugesera International Airport, whose construction is now estimated to cost $1.3 billion, up from $825 million. The government of Rwanda retains a 40 per cent stake in the project.
As the region's aviation industry becomes increasingly competitive, RwandAir faces stiff competition from its neighbors, who are rejuvenating their carriers and expanding their fleets. Uganda Airlines, for instance, has expanded its network to eight destinations, including Zanzibar, which it now flies to three times a week.
