Turkish Airlines the national flag carrier of Turkey is set to begin regular flights to Rwanda’s International Airport. Flights will depart from its Istanbul hub, Atatürk Airport, directly to Kigali.
The Airlne has expanded operations in Africa with the launch of second destination this year on the Continent.
Joining the airline’s aggressively expanding route map, Kigali is the second destination launched by the carrier and latest so far this year to the African continent after Mogadishu, Somalia.
Operating Istanbul-Kigali direct, Kigali becomes Turkish Airlines’ 18th route in Africa, joining its ever-growing global network that currently spans 190 destinations. The airline flies to the most destinations nonstop from a single airport, the hub being Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines already has a successful operation to neighbouring capital cities of Entebbe, and Nairobi.
The arrival today of Turkish airline, a few minutes past 8 AM to Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali carrying a high profile delegation of Turkish officials met by local dignitaries was welcomed by a dramatic water salute soon after touchdown at Kigali International Airport.
The exposure of Rwanda to the world through the airline’s global network will enable the country to attract more tourists, with several attractions focusing on wildlife and natural scenic beauty.
“We know that Rwanda is a very important place. It is on the heart of Africa and we see this place as a hub,” Mr. Kotil , Turkish Airline boss said during his courtesy call to H.E. President Paul Kagame in mid-2011.
Turkish Airlines currently operates a modern fleet to key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas.
“ We are going to connect Kigali not only to Istanbul but also 72 other cities in Europe, including Russia, the Far East and many other parts of the world.” Kotil said.
Rwanda is actively working to grow its tourism sector in as sustainable a way as possible and the efforts are succeeding; new flights and airlines are coming
The Minister of Infrastructure Albert Nsengiyumva said that Turkey is one of the world’s emerging markets and the opening of the route would benefit the country’s business community.
“The coming of Turkish Airlines to Rwanda will not only benefit the business community but also our young and growing airline, RwandAir which will learn from its much bigger partner in different ways,” Nsengiyumva said.
The airline’s expansion to Kigali is part of the bilateral pact between Turkey and Rwanda that would see the two countries cooperate in different areas.
Turkish Airlines targets to become the world’s leading airline, with an ambitious investment plan of over US$7.5bn this year alone.
Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, which includes Lufthansa and United Airlines.
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