Rwandair strikes code share deal with Ethiopian Airlines

Rwandair, the national carrier of Rwanda yesterday signed a code share agreement with Ethiopian Airlines on all flights where Rwandair cannot reach.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Rwandairu2019s boeing_737-5l9: Airline seeks to expand its presence across the continent (file photo)

Rwandair, the national carrier of Rwanda yesterday signed a code share agreement with Ethiopian Airlines on all flights where Rwandair cannot reach.

The agreement will allow Rwandair to sell tickets as well as allowing its customers to book seats on flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines. 

According to the CEO of Rwandair, Gerald Zirimwabagabo, it is a great opportunity for the airline and Rwandans to have this partnership. 

The partnership comes months after Rwandair announced it will purchase two CRJ aircrafts of it own by end this year and also the opening-up office in Nairobi, Kenya.  

"Rwandair has ambitious goals and with flying under Ethiopian Airlines wings we will be able to archive a lot and we can grow better with working with them,” Zirimwabagabo said.

"This is a milestone step made by the two carriers of bringing Africa together and connecting it to the rest of the world,” Tedessa Adane, Ethiopian Airlines’ commercial Vice President said shortly after signing the agreement.

"I think this agreement will make even the business between the two countries improve more compared to the previous days.”

The deal is poised to bring convenience to the clients of both airlines and give value to their money.

Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia. Over the past sixty years it has become one of Africa’s leading carriers and this year it was named as the best carrier of the year.

Rwandair also has code sharing agreements with a host of airlines including, Delta Airlines , Kenya Airways, KLM , Brussels Airlines, Air Tanzania , Precision Air, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Qatar Airways and Air Namibia.

The carrier began operations on December 1, 2002 as the new national carrier with a concession to carry out airport ground handling at Kigali International Airport, Kanombe.

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