Rwandair has been registered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) after passing the initial IATA operational safety audit (IOSA), the national carrier said in statement on Wednesday.

This follows the completion of the IATA operational safety audit conducted on the airline’s operations system in June, which "Rwanda passed with an exemplary report of minimal findings and observations”. The registration under the IATA – IOSA expires in June 2016, when the airline will undergo another safety audit, the statement added.

"Passing the audit is vital for the sustainability of the airline as it is a mandatory requirement to obtain IATA registration, alliance memberships and code share agreements,” John Mirenge, the RwandAir chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The IATA operational safety audit is an internationally recognised evaluation system that assesses the operational management and control systems of an airline. It is conducted every two years once an airline has successfully completed the first audit

Mirenge said RwandAir is committed to maintaining standards that meet the international aviation industry guidelines, as well as creating value for stakeholders.

Alex Buterere, a senior manager in charge of grounds operations at RwandAir, said passing the safety audit means the airline can now fly anywhere across the globe.

"It also makes the airline more competitive and opens its chances of becoming an elite airline; we can now code and do business with some of five star airlines,” Buterere said.

RwandAir flies to all capitals in East Africa as well as Juba, Doulla in Cameroon, Johannesburg, Dubai, Lagos, Libreville and Brazzaville.