Rwanda’s flag carrier, RwandAir, plans to double its fleet within the next five years.
RWANDAIR FLEET EXPANSION PLANS
The airline’s CEO Yvonne Makolo said that the carrier intends to expand its fleet in order to grow the airline.
“We are working on growing the airline,” Makolo said. “Our plan is to double our fleet within the next five years, and we are on track to do that.”
Yvonne Makolo, CEO, RwandAir
Rwandair currently has a small fleet of 14 aircraft. Its mixed fleet includes several Airbus A330s, Boeing B737NGs, Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets and De Havilland Q400 Dash 8 turboprops.
NEW KIGALI AIRPORT
The completion of a new airport in Kigali is set to enable increased capacity and improve passenger handling.
“We were looking at about six million passengers in the first phase, which will be almost three to four times what we have in the current airport,” Makolo said.
The new airport is currently being built approximately 35 minutes away from where the existing is located.
FOCUS ON AFRICAN ROUTES
Aerotime reports that RwandAir hopes to expand its presence in Africa. It intends to open new routes on the continent.
“We intend to continue growing, especially within the African continent, opening additional routes within Africa. So, the next few years we will be focusing on opening African routes.” Makolo said.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY CLASSES
RwandAir offers two classes on its flights. It operates business and economy across its entire fleet. Both its wide and narrow-body aircraft include business-class cabins.
“We have business class on our whole fleet, including the regional jets, the Q400s and CRJs. The rest of the fleet is a two-class fleet as well, not just the wide-body aircraft.” She said.
Initially, the airline offered three classes on its flights but it decided to scrap premium economy. This was in order to maintain product consistency across its route network.
“Originally it was a three-class product, with business, premium economy and economy, but we’re no longer selling premium economy.” Makolo says.
THREE AIRCRAFT TYPES FOR RWANDAIR FLEET
The carrier intends to rationalize its current fleet.
While the total number of aircraft in its fleet is set to increase, the number of aircraft types RwandAir operates will reduce from five to three.
RwandAir will deploy specific aircraft types for each market segment it serves.
It will offer regional, short and medium-haul and long-haul services.
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RWANDAIR FLEET: LEASED AIRCRAFT
To grow its fleet, RwandAir will lease instead of purchasing additional aircraft.
The airline aims to operate only three types of aircraft. Each type will handle particular routes.
Makolo stated, “We intend to lease rather than purchase aircraft and we are also looking at rationalizing the fleet, to at least have three types. One type for the regional, one for the medium-haul, and then the long-haul.
BOEING 737 WORKHORSES
RwandAir has a number of Boeing 737s in its fleet. Over half of its fleet actually consists of this aircraft type.
The model is particularly useful for the carrier since it is used to operate many intra-African routes.
“Half of our aircraft are 737s and they’re really the ones that allow us to access quite a number of points within the African continent. So, I expect the 737s to remain our main aircraft type.” She said.
RWANDAIR REGIONAL ROUTES
The airline will phase out the smaller aircraft used to operate its regional services.
This includes its Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets and De Havilland Q400 Dash 8 turboprops.
RwandAir has yet to decide which aircraft will replace these models. This opens opportunities for manufacturers like Embraer who offer various solutions with their ever-popular range of regional jets.
“We’ll keep the 737s and the A330s. We’re still looking for the regional, to see what exactly fits our future plans. That’s yet to be decided, but we will be rationalizing our fleet as well.” Makolo stated.
