Diplomatist Magazine Rwanda 2018 | Page 32

FLYING THE DREAMS OF AFRICA S ince Rwanda is a land-locked country, the government has given due consideration to air connectivity. It is also encouraging the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry by constructing modern convention centres and fi rst-class hotels in Kigali – a green and clean city. Rwanda has streamlined its visa requirements and, by doing so, has accomplished to boost the tourism industry and host major international conferences. The government has aspiring plans of making Kigali an aviation and conference tourism hub. To realise its multi-faceted economic development plans, the government established RwandAir in 2009. From its hub at the heart of Africa at Kigali International Airport, RwandAir is reputed for its outstanding on-time performance, customer service and safety, and has one of 30 • RWANDA • 2018 the youngest fl eets on the African continent. RwandAir, an IATA member airline, renewed its IOSA certifi cation and has been ISAGO and EASA certifi ed. With a fl eet of twelve aircraft, including two wide-body Airbus A330 acquired last year, the airline currently reaches out to twenty-six (26) destinations across East, Central, West and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Last year in 2017, RwandAir commenced its services from India with a direct fl ight from Mumbai to capital city Kigali. Now it operates fl ight services on the Mumbai- Kigali-Mumbai sector four times a week, with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft in two cabin classes – business and economy. RwandAir is steadfast in providing matchless, safe and reliable services in air transportation, including strategically linking Rwanda with the outside world, while ensuring a fair return on investment. 