Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Chief Commercial Officer Fouad Caunhye expressed pride in the Skytrax accolade, calling it 'a testimony to all the bits and piecesâ€"the bolts and cogsâ€"that come together with precision.'
He noted that the award, received at the iconic Air and Space Museum during the Paris Air Show on June 17, 2025, reflects not only RwandAir's service excellence but also its strategic role in connecting Rwanda to global markets and promoting the national brand on the international stage.
"It's a massive award that reflects on the country, the trust and confidence placed in us by the government of Rwanda and the authorities. Our team of just over a thousand employees combines to project a bridge that connects Rwanda to the world and the world to Rwanda," said the CCO, who has been with RwandAir for the last six months.
"This links to verticals like tourism, economy, and corporate demand, ensuring the flows of commerce are maintained within the country and the outside world. It also allows the Rwanda brand to fly on our wings to the rest of the world," he added.
The airline plans to maintain its momentum with an ambitious fleet expansion strategy. Caunhye confirmed the addition of a fourth Airbus A330 by August 2025, alongside two Boeing 737s scheduled to join the fleet in August and September.
The additional aircraft are expected to increase RwandAir's available seat kilometres (ASK) by 15â€"20%. However, Caunhye noted that this still falls short of Africa's rapidly growing demand, which continues to rise at 12â€"14% annually, well above the global average of 3â€"4%
New routes are also on the horizon, with Mombasa and Zanzibar slated for late 2025, and Jeddah expected in early 2026. These additions aim to strengthen RwandAir's hub in Kigali, which is strategically positioned to connect East, West, and Southern Africa, as well as key European and Middle Eastern cities such as London, Paris, Doha, and Dubai.
'We're far from achieving full balance,' Caunhye admitted, but the airline is strategically expanding to capture critical market share in a region where demand is robust but competition is fierce.
Navigating challenges in African aviation
Operating in Africa presents unique challenges, from high operational costs to geopolitical disruptions. Caunhye highlighted the inverse relationship between flight duration and profitability: 'The further you fly, the more reduced your margins.'
Unlike carriers in large domestic markets like the US or China, RwandAir relies heavily on long-haul routes, with its shortest flight to Nairobi or Entebbe lasting about 90 minutes. This increases fuel, crew, and maintenance costs, squeezing margins in a market where ticket prices are often 30-50% composed of non-airline costs like airport taxes and overflight fees.
Recent disruptions, such as the closure of the Democratic Republic of Congo's airspace and Iran's strike on a US base in Qatar, have tested RwandAir's resilience. Caunhye emphasized the importance of rapid recovery, aiming to resolve disruptions within 24 hours to maintain passenger trust.
The airline is also adapting by strengthening East African networks and leveraging partnerships, such as with Qatar Airways, to expand reach without relying solely on its own fleet.
During the recent interview, Caunhye also revealed that financial sustainability remains a goal for RwandAir, which, like many state-owned African carriers, faces intense competition and escalating costs.
Caunhye acknowledged that the airline is 'not yet at full equilibrium' but is on track to achieve it by doubling its fleet within five years.
This expansion aligns with the anticipated completion of the Bugesera International Airport, designed to handle 8-10 million passengers annually compared to the current Kigali airport's 1-3 million.
'The new Kigali airport will be a game-changer,' Caunhye said, positioning RwandAir to compete with Africa's leading aviation hubs.
Tapping the cargo market
RwandAir is also eyeing Africa's untapped cargo market. Operating a Boeing 737 freighter, the airline aims to transport Rwanda's premium produceâ€"coffee, tea, and other goodsâ€"to markets in China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Plans for a widebody cargo aircraft capable of seven- to eight-hour flights are in discussion to ensure fresh delivery to global markets.
Additionally, the CCO noted that strategic partnerships, including those with Visit Rwanda and the Basketball Africa League (BAL), are boosting RwandAir's growth while promoting Rwanda as a premium tourism destination.
'We contribute to their success, and they to ours,' Caunhye noted, highlighting the synergy with Rwanda's hospitality and tourism sectors.
Caunhye also highlighted the airline's continued investment in its workforce, including efforts to nurture future talent through its pilot cadet programme. He described the initiative as an opportunity for young Rwandans to become 'ambassadors of this ambitious country,' instilled with a professional ethos poised to shape the future of aviation for generations to come.
Catch the full interview below to hear more from RwandAir's CCO, Fouad Caunhye.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
