NISR figures show that domestic passengers on RwandAir increased from 22,519 in 2023 to 30,066 in 2024. The flights operate on the airline's only domestic route, linking Kigali to Kamembe in Rusizi District.
The route is served by RwandAir's Bombardier Q-400 NextGen aircraft. Covering a distance of 147.42 kilometres, the flight takes about 40 minutes from Kanombe International Airport.
RwandAir says the current economy-class fare on the Kigaliâ€"Kamembe route stands at USD 88 (approximately Rwf 128,000).
The rise in domestic passenger numbers marks a continuation of the post-pandemic recovery. Before the Covid-19 outbreak, RwandAir carried 20,281 domestic passengers in 2019. Traffic declined sharply during the pandemic, before beginning to rebound in 2022, when 15,821 passengers were recorded on the route.
Growth in domestic travel has also contributed to an increase in RwandAir's overall passenger volumes, including international traffic. Total passengers carried by the national airline rose from 927,836 in 2023 to 1,034,887 in 2024.
Cargo volumes also expanded during the same period. International cargo carried by RwandAir increased from 16,462.2 tonnes in 2023 to 20,689.54 tonnes in 2024. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the airline transported 12,349.66 tonnes of cargo in 2019.
Looking ahead, Rwanda expects air transport capacity to expand significantly once the new Kigali International Airport under construction in Bugesera becomes operational. The airport is projected to handle up to eight million passengers annually, compared with just over one million passengers handled at Kanombe International Airport in 2024.
The first phase of the Bugesera airport is scheduled for completion in 2027/28, while the second phase is expected to be completed by 2034, ultimately raising annual passenger handling capacity to 14 million.
IGIHE
