The Government of India on Wednesday approved the Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Rwanda. The agreement allows for an enabling environment for enhanced and seamless connectivity while providing commercial opportunities to the carriers of both countries, ensuring greater safety and security, an official release said in part.

RwandAir early this month announced that it will commence direct flights to India’s commercial centre Mumbai on April 3.

The Union Cabinet, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and agreed to approve the signing of Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Rwanda.

The agreement has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange between India and Rwanda, bringing it in tune with developments in the civil aviation sector, according to the statement.

Direct flights to Mumbai according to John Mirenge, the Airline’s Chief executive officer will be conducted four times a week using "our young Bombardier and Boeing Next Generation fleet that offer a state-of-the art dual class cabin.”

Last year, RwandAir received East Africa's first wide-bodied brand new Airbus A330s in a triple class configuration and Africa's first Boeing 737-800NG equipped with in-flight connectivity on a line-fit programme.

The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certified airline also plans to start flights to Gatwick, London's second-busiest airport, and to the US this year as part of its strategy to serve more global markets.

Presently, the airline operates 19 destinations, including Nairobi, Entebbe, Mombasa, Bujumbura, Lusaka, Juba, Douala, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Cotonou, Johannesburg, Dubai, Lagos, Libreville and Brazzaville.

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