RwandAir has expanded its long-haul fleet with the arrival of an Airbus A330-200, strengthening the national carrier’s capacity as it works to grow its international network and passenger numbers.
The aircraft, which arrived on August 24, 2026, is the first of five A330 aircraft scheduled to join RwandAir’s fleet as part of the airline’s wider expansion strategy.
RwandAir said the new aircraft will increase its long-haul capacity while improving passenger comfort, operational reliability and onboard connectivity.
The fleet expansion comes as Rwanda seeks to strengthen international air connectivity to support tourism, trade and investment, with Kigali increasingly positioned as an aviation hub connecting East Africa with destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
RwandAir is targeting more than a doubling of annual passenger numbers, from just over 1 million in 2023/24 to more than 2.1 million by 2028/29. The strategy includes acquiring additional aircraft, expanding routes and developing strategic partnerships.
The arrival of the A330-200 is expected to provide additional capacity on longer international routes while giving the airline greater flexibility as demand for travel to and from Rwanda continues to grow.
The remaining four A330 aircraft are expected to strengthen the carrier’s wide-body fleet further and support its ambitions to expand its international footprint.
For Rwanda, the expansion of RwandAir’s fleet forms part of a broader effort to improve connectivity with global markets and position Kigali as an important gateway for passengers and businesses travelling across the region.
With five additional A330s planned, the airline is positioning its fleet for the next stage of growth, moving beyond simply connecting Rwanda to the world to strengthening Kigali’s role as a regional aviation hub.
