RwandAir continues regional growth and accelerates long haul with 2016 A330 service to China, India

RwandAir sits in the backyard of two of Africa's three airline powerhouses (Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways). It has been quietly constructing a regional Africa network with the aim of establishing its home at Kigali as a hub for the continent; 40% of the airline's traffic connects. Its hub aims were significantly heightened with ambitious if risky plans to launch long haul 787 services in 2017. But growing competition has caused the airline to believe it must establish a long haul network earlier if it is to carve a stake in the future. Long haul flights to China and India are being accelerated with an anticipated 2016 launch using A330s instead of 787s.

RwandAir will take a single A330-200 and A330-300 to provide balance between providing range and volume. Guangzhou and Mumbai are contenders, and are hoped to be served with local pick-up rights from Dubai, currently RwandAir's only destination outside of Africa. RwandaAir's small non-African destination count will have disproportionately larger size - and risk - in ASK and revenue terms. Regional Africa remains the carrier's heart. An additional 737-800 is planned for each of 2016 and 2017, giving the airline 12 aircraft by the end of 2017 and doubling its available seat capacity.