March 28, 2024

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RwandAir could make Rwanda a business hub for Africa, Airlines Expert says

Michael Joseph, Kenya Airways Board chairman

Analysts on air transport find that in the near future RwandAir could make Rwanda a business hub for Africa.

This is due to the fact that RwandAir continues to expand its directions around the world and facilitate inter-city connectivity.

Recently while he was commenting on Kenya Airways and Rwandair taking over KQ and Qatar investment for the Rwanda airliner and the new airport, Kenya Airways Board chairman, Michael Joseph said “you can see the Government is 100% behind RwandAir, the President is fully involved in making sure that RwandAir makes off the ground, it is subsidized heavily by the Government and not only making deal with Qatar, and being shareholder but also it is buying Airports.”  

This week also when he was being hosted in the JKLive program on Citizen TV, Mr Michael Joseph again said “Even this week I heard that Qatar Airlines will be switching 60 Aircrafts from Qatar to RwandAir.”

Michael confirms that “That is a big deal I think”

“I was actually talking today to a member of Parliament and say what we have to be careful of is that if we are not careful the business hub for Africa, …, is going to move from Nairobi to Kigali.” He said live on a TV show also published on Youtube.

He continued to emphasise that businesses will move to Kigali because of the connectivity. “Businesses are likely to relocate to places where there is easy connectivity. “Michael said.

The investor has returned to various issues affecting Kenya Airways including a loss of more than Shillings 30 billion, mainly due to the 19 COVID epidemic.

However, Michael whose investments in Airlines is huge, noted that in general almost all airlines in the world have suffered the loss caused by COVID 19 adding that once the outbreak ends there will be an economic recovery in the airline industry.

“Kenya Airways have not only to survive but we have also to make sure that we make conditions right for Nairobi to be the business hub for Africa.” He explains

In addition to the fact that experts find that Rwandair can make Rwanda a business hub, this week RwandAir became the first African airline to vaccinate all staff against Covid-19, which will position the carrier as one of the safest on the continent.

The airline began its vaccination rollout programme earlier this month targeting all staff and crew who received their first shot.

Non-airline staff at Kigali International Airport, the airline’s hub, have been vaccinated as well to ensure a safe and secure environment for all passengers.

The drive comes just after RwandAir announced it will be the first carrier in Africa to start trialling the IATA Travel Pass in April 2021 to enable the safe resumption of international travel.

Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, said: “Rwanda’s rapid roll-out of the first consignment of vaccines to arrive in the country prioritized all frontline workers, including RwandAir’s staff and crew. The vaccination programme has been designed to ensure we provide a safe and secure environment for travellers, both in the air and on the ground.”

“We have carefully considered every customer touchpoint at Kigali International Airport and on board our aircraft, as the world resumes travelling in the post-Covid era.”

“We look forward to welcoming our customers back to RwandAir. As an airline, the health and safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority and we have been working hard to restore our customers’ confidence to fly.”

In addition to RwandAir staff and crew, the staff of other airlines operating at the Kigali International Airport also received their Covid-19 vaccinations at the same time.

 

Ange de la Victoire Dusabemungu

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