By Dominick Andoh | RwandAir partners with Ghana’s AWA to improve connectivity. RwandAir has partnered with Africa World Airlines (AWA) as part of the Kigali-based airline’s strategy to strengthen Rwanda’s connectivity with Africa and other regions around the world.
The Special Prorate Agreement (SPA) between RwandAir and Africa World now makes it easier for customers to travel between West Africa, Rwanda and RwandAir’s international network, with smoother connections and reduced travel times.
Additionally, the SPA benefits businesses that require seamless travel across the continent with smoother connections and reduced travel times. It also helps bring families living in Rwanda, Ghana and/or Nigeria closer together and gives tourists the means to explore some of Africa’s culturally rich, historic and vibrant countries.
Muhamud Wayiga, Ghana Country Manager of RwandAir, noted that: “AWA is a beneficial partner in the region with its strong operational reputation, extensive domestic network in Ghana and international reach into Nigeria. Its operations complement RwandAir’s, offering customers more options when travelling across the continent. This provides a significant opportunity for our airline, allowing us to enhance our offering to customers without pulling aircraft from other routes.
With RwandAir flying to Ghana for over ten (10) years, this SPA is a testament to the success and growing demand of this route. Customers can now venture further into the country with additional, convenient flight options for this critical market. Stronger regional air links are vital in facilitating Africa’s economic growth. Working with our Ghanaian partners demonstrates our commitment to forming solid regional links and strengthening the region’s aviation industry to benefit all.”
RwandAir, with a fleet size of 13, currently services 25 domestic and international destinations in East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia from its main base at Kigali International Airport in Kigali. Its partnership with Qatar Airways has further expanded its global reach.
Qatar Airways and RwandAir are set to finalise a deal to see the Doha-based airline take up a 49 percent stake in the Kigali-based airline.
While Rwanda will maintain majority shareholding of 51 percent shares, Qatar plans to use the landlocked East African country as a major hub to further deepen its foot prints on the African continent. Qatar is also investing heavily in on-ground aviation infrastructure in Rwanda to match its ambition and that of its partner airline RwandAir.
In deal signed in 2019, the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Airways signed an investment partnership for Rwanda’s new International Airport. The partnership features three agreements to build, own, and operate the state-of-the-art facility.
Qatar Airways will own a 60% stake in the $1.3billion new Kigali International Airport. The new airport is being redesigned to accommodate seven million passengers per annum, with a second phase for 14 million passengers a year expected to start by 2032.
The deepening ties between the two parties was unsurprising, given the existing code share agreement between RwandAir and Qatar Airways, and Qatar’s to dominate a market with huge potential but currently contributes just about 2 percent of global aviation- Africa.
AviationGhana | RwandAir partners with Ghana’s AWA to improve connectivity
