National carrier RwandAir is set to strengthen its long-haul network with more flights to Europe as it gradually expands its fleet with five Airbus A330 aircrafts. The airline is also considering a new route to Frankfurt, Germany, and resume services to Mumbai, India, and Guangzhou, China. On Monday, August 24, RwandAir announced the arrival of one Airbus A330-200, the first of the five A330s planned for the fleet. The new aircraft accommodates 226 passengers and is already in commercial service, primarily supporting RwandAir’s European operations, including increased frequencies to Paris and Brussels. “The additional capacity will provide passengers with more travel options while enhancing connectivity through our Kigali hub for travellers flying between Europe and destinations across Africa,” a RwandAir official told The New Times. The airline expects the five A330 aircraft, each capable of accommodating between 220 and 270 passengers, to strengthen its ability to respond to growing passenger demand, improve scheduling flexibility and support network expansion. The remaining four aircraft “will join the fleet progressively over the coming months,” the RwandAir official said, without disclosing specific delivery dates. The airline currently operates a fleet comprising Airbus A330s, Boeing 737-800NGs, Bombardier Q400s and a dedicated freighter (for air cargo). According to the airline, its immediate priority is to strengthen existing long-haul services, particularly through additional frequencies to Paris and Brussels. It's also evaluating opportunities to launch a new route to Frankfurt and resume services to Guangzhou and Mumbai. The airline official added that the expanded fleet positions it to enhance connectivity between Africa and key international markets while reinforcing Kigali’s role as a leading gateway to the continent. The five Airbus A330 aircraft are being acquired through leasing arrangements, according to RwandAir. What passengers can expect: Officials at RwandAir say passengers will primarily benefit from increased capacity, more flight options and improved connectivity across its network. “The expanded fleet will also provide greater operational resilience, helping us maintain service reliability and deliver a more seamless travel experience. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on providing safe, comfortable and convenient journeys for our customers,” reads a statement from the airline. The A330 expansion comes as RwandAir seeks to more than double annual passenger numbers from just over one million in 2023/24 to more than 2.1 million by 2028/29 through fleet expansion, new routes and strategic partnerships.
