RwandAir plans further regional expansion in 2015 and launch of long-haul services in 2017

RwandAir is planning major expansion over the next three years which will see the small East African carrier add widebody aircraft and launch long-haul services. RwandAir is also pursuing further expansion of its regional network in 2015 as it expands its single-aisle fleet from seven to nine aircraft, building up feed ahead of the anticipated launch of 787 operations in 2017.

The Rwanda government is supporting the ambitious expansion and sees a growing hub role for the capital Kigali. Transit passengers already accounts for about 40% of RwandAir's traffic and the airline sees an opportunity to further boost sixth freedom traffic as well as potentially add more fifth freedom routes.

RwandAir has already expanded rapidly over the last 18 months as it has replaced 737-500s with 737-700s and Dash 8-200s with Dash 8-Q400s. The carrier, which now operates a modern fleet with an average age of only four years, earlier replaced CRJ200s with CRJ900s and added 737-800s.