KIGALI - Rwandair Express on Thursday signed a code-share agreement with Virgin Atlantic on flights between Kigali, Nairobi to London and the USA.

The agreement will allow Rwandair customers to book seats on flights operated by Virgin Atlantic to London and the USA from Kigali.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Marie Claire Mukasine hailed the deal saying that not everyone gets such a partnership. She said that this means that Rwandair is also improving and this is a step forward for them and the country in general.

"This is a right path for Rwandair and we would like you to achieve more and more. The Rwandan government will never disappoint you,” Mukasine said.

The partnership comes a month after Rwandair had also signed a similar code with Brussels airlines.  

"This is a great opportunity to Rwandair and our clients. Being partners with an international carrier like Virgin Atlantic with all its reputation we are going to learn a lot from them,” Rwandair’s CEO, Gerald Zirimwabagabo, said.

Virgin Atlantic Airways entered the Kenya Airways dominated East African skies in June 2007. Last year it was ranked number five in the world.

Zirimwabagabo also said that Rwandair is looking forward to partnering with other international carriers in order to give the best to their passengers.

"Now our clients will be leaving Kigali in the morning and they will be in London in the afternoon, and by buying a Rwandair ticket you can travel around the world.”

The partnership between Rwandair and Virgin Atlantic comes at a time the global aviation industry especially the airline sector has been hit hard by the global economic recession and is under tremendous pressure to remain competitive.

Country Manager Virgin Atlantic –Kenya, Nilanthi Manatunga, said that partnering with Rwandair is a great opportunity for both carriers and that it is going to be a great experience entering the Rwandan market.

"This is a mutual benefit to increase our presence in the regions we have not been working in. We see potential in Rwandair and so should everyone in Rwanda and other countries,” she said.

"We will be having two flights per day, one at 4a.m and the other at 11a.m. Flights will be from Kigali to Nairobi then London by Virgin Atlantic carrier,” said Michael Peter Otieno, Rwandair’s head of Marketing and Corporate communication
The deal is poised to bring convenience to the clients of both airlines and give value to their money.

Rwandair is also expected to penetrate the London market while Virgin Atlantic reinforces its position on the African market.

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