Rwandair will, effective January 29, start daily direct flights between Entebbe and Nairobi, the airline said in statement over the weekend. 

According to Mikael Gobena, the general manager in charge of commerce, daily flights would depart Entebbe International Airport at 9am and Nairobi at 9pm.

The development follows a recent bilateral agreement between Rwanda and Kenya, permitting RwandAir and Kenya Airways fifth freedom rights between the Entebbe-Nairobi and Entebbe-Kigali routes, Gobena added in the statement.

The airline will deploy its Next Generation dual-class Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft as it moves to further strengthen its footprint in the regional aviation sector. Gobena said the Entebbe-Nairobi route will primarily cater for the demands of the business and the ‘short-stay’ travelers.

Last year, RwandAir was granted similar rights to operate direct flights on the Entebbe-Juba (South Sudan) route following the suspension of Air Uganda’s licence by the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority.

John Mirenge, the RwandAir chief executive officer, said the Entebbe-Nairobi route offers the airline additional capacity.

Mirenge said RwandAir will continue to play a strategic role, especially in boosting Rwanda’s economy and those of regional states by easing air transport for passengers and goods.

RwandAir was late last year certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for safety worthiness after passing the IATA operational safety audit (IOSA).

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