The plans come as RwandAir prepares to add five Airbus A330 aircraft to its fleet, a move expected to provide the capacity needed to support additional frequencies on existing routes and future network expansion.
A RwandAir official told The New Times that the airline’s immediate priority is to strengthen its current long-haul services, particularly by increasing flights to Paris and Brussels, while evaluating opportunities to expand into Germany and Asia.
On August 24, RwandAir announced the arrival of an Airbus A330-200, the first of the five aircraft expected to join the fleet. The 226-seat aircraft has already entered commercial service and is primarily supporting the airline’s European operations.
“The additional capacity will provide passengers with more travel options while enhancing connectivity through our Kigali hub for travellers flying between Europe and destinations across Africa,” the official told the publication.
The remaining four A330s, which are being acquired through leasing arrangements, are expected to join the fleet progressively over the coming months, although the airline has not announced specific delivery dates.
Each of the aircraft can accommodate between 220 and 270 passengers and is expected to give the carrier greater flexibility in responding to growing demand and expanding its network.
RwandAir said the additional capacity would also improve operational resilience and help maintain service reliability as the airline grows.
The expansion forms part of RwandAir’s broader ambition to more than double its annual passenger numbers from just over one million in the 2023/24 financial year to more than 2.1 million by 2028/29. The strategy relies on fleet expansion, new routes and strategic partnerships to strengthen Kigali’s position as a gateway linking Africa with key international markets.
The latest A330 addition follows RwandAir’s continued investment in its fleet. In August 2025, the carrier added two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, primarily to support short- and medium-haul operations.
With more wide-body aircraft on the way, the airline is positioning itself to grow its long-haul network while offering passengers more travel options through its Kigali hub.
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