Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies has approved twelve new air service agreements designed to expand RwandAir’s international and regional reach.
The agreements, signed between 2022 and 2024, cover partnerships with Eswatini, Guinea, Georgia, Canada, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Oman, Poland, Suriname, France, and Zimbabwe. This legislative greenlight marks another key step in Rwanda’s effort to position itself as an aviation and connectivity hub in Africa.
Presenting the draft laws to Parliament, Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore highlighted that many of the agreements include fifth freedom rights, allowing RwandAir to use foreign airspace and airports for technical stops such as refueling and maintenance, even on routes that do not originate or terminate in Rwanda.
“These provisions are designed to ensure flexibility in operations and guarantee uninterrupted air connectivity,” Gasore said, emphasizing that the new accords would enhance aviation safety, reduce operational costs, and boost Rwanda’s competitiveness as a regional hub.
He added that Rwanda’s membership in the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa (ASECNA) and adherence to international standards will further improve safety oversight and efficiency.
The new agreements directly align with Africa’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the Yamoussoukro Decision, both of which promote the liberalization of African skies under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“President Paul Kagame has consistently emphasized the importance of integrating Rwanda’s airspace with the region to strengthen trade and connectivity,” Gasore told lawmakers.
He, however, clarified that parliamentary ratification does not translate into immediate flight launches. “These agreements provide the legal and technical framework for RwandAir to operate efficiently, but flights will commence according to strategic planning and operational readiness,” he explained.
Members of Parliament welcomed the move but urged close monitoring and clear execution timelines. MP Yvonne Mujawabega stressed that partner countries must actively facilitate RwandAir’s operational goals, while MP Diogene Bitunguramye called for specific timelines on when new routes would begin. MP Hope Tumukunde Gasatura cautioned that Rwanda should closely track any delays or policy changes from partner nations through diplomatic channels.
The approvals come as RwandAir pursues an aggressive growth strategy to more than double its passenger numbers from just over 1 million in 2023/24 to 2.1 million by 2028/29.
The airline aims to expand its network from 23 to 29 destinations within the same period, supported by new aircraft acquisitions, improved service quality, and strategic alliances as outlined in the Transport Sector Strategic Plan 2024–2029.
The ratification of these 12 air service agreements underscores Rwanda’s growing commitment to aviation liberalization, regional integration, and global connectivity.
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