RwandAir has expressed its ambition to join Oneworld Alliance, even as the Global airline Alliance seeks to add more airline members under the stewardship of Qatar Airways boss Akbar Al Baker.
According to RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo, Rwandair is keen to join Oneworld as an expansion of its already close partnership with Qatar Airways.
Speaking at the Aviation Africa event in Kigali, Rwanda, the airline boss said, “As we continue to continue to expand our partnership with Qatar Airways, we are always looking for ways to improve our customer offering and global reach. We are therefore exploring the possibility of entering the Oneworld alliance. This would be a perfect fit for RwandAir and help us forge closer ties with like-minded airline partners overseas. Joining Oneworld will help us gradually improve our products and services and what we are offering to our passengers.”
Makolo was reacting to comments by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker that his airline would be assisting RwandAir to achieve the necessary standards to join Oneworld, either as a full member or associate.
With an airline membership of 13 airlines including Royal Air Maroc as the only African airline, Oneworld Alliance has seen some substantial growth over the last five years with three new entrants including Oman Air, Alaska Airlines, and Royal Air Maroc.
If RwandAir joins the Oneworld alliance as a full member, this would mean that frequent flyers would be able to earn and redeem miles across all airlines that are part of Oneworld, and will see a host of other benefits through member airlines.
Featured image: Cyril Ndegeya
