National Carrier RwandAir’s country office in Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday, hosted its travel consultants and other partners in Kampala to a dinner in appreciation of services rendered over the last year.

At the dinner, Italian Ambassador to Rwanda Domenico Fornara has said that Rwanda’s rebuilding efforts can well be showed by the achievements registered so far by the national carrier, RwandAir.

"With its quality services, RwandAir is setting the right standards in this region. It matches well with the image Rwanda is working on after the tragedy that befell it in 1994,” Fornara said.

Elegance and traditional Rwandan music defined the night as the staff of the national carrier projected the company’s future plans to their guests who were clad in Imishanana, a traditional Rwandan wear.

For Frank Mugambage, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, the progress so far achieved by RwandAir is a testimony enough to show commitment by government to total transformation of the country.

"The government’s emphasis is on quality service. The world now understands that where there is determination, nothing can fail,” Mugambage said.

Ada Mugyenyi, the RwandAir’s country manager for Uganda, commended the travel agents for the "overwhelming support” they showed the national carrier over the last year.

"We can hardly survive without you. We are increasing our services to you this September with two new airbuses and two Boeing aircraft,” she said.

Africa’s fastest-growing airline also plans to expand its operations to European markets, starting flights to London and Paris and, later next year, to India and Guangzhou in China.

"We are happy with RwandAir’s flights because some regional airlines were exploiting us,” said Everest Kayondo, the chairman of Kampala City Traders Association.

The national carrier currently flies to 19 destinations, including Kamembe, Nairobi, Entebbe, Mombasa, Bujumbura, Lusaka, Juba, Douala, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjalo, Johannesburg, Dubai, Lagos, Libreville and Brazzaville.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw