The plan forms part of RwandAir's broader strategy to expand long-haul operations, particularly to Europe and Asia, while strengthening Kigali's role as a hub connecting African cities with international markets.
RwandAir's Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Reuben Mbonye, told Aviation Week that Europe and East Asia are among the key regions the airline is considering for expansion, although it has not yet officially announced where the new services will begin.
As part of the plan, Frankfurt is being considered as a new destination in Germany, while Mumbai and Guangzhou are among cities where RwandAir could resume services that were previously suspended.
RwandAir currently operates long-haul services to destinations including London, Paris, Brussels, Dubai and Doha, alongside a network covering Eastern, Central, Western and Southern Africa.
Five Airbus A330s to support expansion
A key part of the expansion will be the addition of five Airbus A330-200 aircraft to RwandAir's fleet.
The first of the five aircraft was received in August 2026, with the remaining four expected to enter service gradually. All five aircraft will be operated under lease agreements.
Depending on their configuration, the aircraft can accommodate between 220 and 270 passengers.
The first aircraft has already entered commercial service with 226 seats and is being used to increase RwandAir's capacity on European routes, including additional frequencies to Paris and Brussels.
The addition of more A330s is significant because the aircraft are designed for long-haul operations and can carry relatively large numbers of passengers. This gives RwandAir room to increase frequencies on existing routes while also supporting the launch of new services.
A larger fleet could also give the airline greater flexibility in adjusting its network and strengthening connections through Kigali for passengers travelling from different African countries to Europe, Asia and other international destinations.
RwandAir's expansion plans extend beyond the five Airbus A330s. Mbonye said the airline aims to nearly double its fleet over the next five years.
The expansion is also expected to be accompanied by a significant increase in passenger numbers.
In the 2023/24 financial year, RwandAir carried slightly more than one million passengers. Its target is to carry more than 2.1 million passengers annually by 2028/29, more than doubling the number within a few years.
The figures indicate that RwandAir is seeking not only to expand its network but also to significantly increase its passenger capacity and strengthen its position in Africa's aviation market.
Expansion aligned with Bugesera airport
RwandAir's expansion comes alongside Rwanda's wider plans to develop the new Bugesera International Airport.
The airport, whose development is valued at about $2 billion, is being built in partnership with Qatar Airways, which holds a 60% stake.
The first phase is expected to be completed in 2028 and will have the capacity to handle seven million passengers annually.
A subsequent phase, expected around 2032, would double the airport's capacity to 14 million passengers a year.
The new airport is expected to provide Rwanda with significantly greater capacity to expand international air services compared with the existing Kigali International Airport.
However, RwandAir's expansion plans come at a time when African airlines are facing rising operating costs.
Mbonye said higher fuel prices have increased RwandAir's operating costs, prompting the airline to review its fares.
More broadly, airlines across Africa continue to face challenges including high fuel prices, taxes, airport charges and difficulties accessing some markets, all of which contribute to the relatively high cost of air travel on the continent.
