Since the first jet airliner flew in 1949, use of commercial aviation has grown more than seventy-fold.

This growth has been unmatched by any other major form of transport and is essential to economic progress.

The trend continues today, and Rwanda more than ever is discovering the benefits of air travel.

New statistics from the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) indicate that the number of total air travellers per year has grown by 14 percent over the last six years. An average of 146,239 people per year are now flying out of Rwanda.

Rwandans are discovering that the industry plays a decisive role in the work and leisure of millions of people, and promotes an improved quality of life.

By facilitating tourism, air transport is helping generate economic growth and alleviate poverty in our country – by providing employment opportunities, increasing revenues from taxes, and fostering the conservation of protected areas.

The RCAA knows this and that’s why number of positive changes have taken place at Kigali international airport such developments include.

Two years ago, clearing one single passenger through security could take as long as 10 minutes. But of late the airport is matching other international airports by spending an average of three minutes on clearance.

This major improvement is a result of increased clearing counters at the airport, but operators want more counters and checking in space.   

Previously, Rwandan Defense Force soldiers had been charged with security sweeping responsibilities at the airport.

Some international clients saw the soldiers as unfriendly, and it’s believed they were even considered threatening.

Currently Rwandair-trained staff, helped by more friendly national police personnel is handling this business, which has made the airport a more welcoming place and has given Kigali International Airport a friendlier image.

Another factor explaining the progress of air transport in Rwanda has been the empowering of staff with new organisational training.

This has equipped them with important strategic planning and management skills that will be very beneficial in developing efficient strategic plans for their organizations.

Serge Dewachter, Brussels Airlines’ Country Manager for Rwanda, commends the efforts of the RCAA, but says that there are a lot of remaining issues to address.

"There is need to reduce the queuing, increase the number of passport desks and improving customer guide to flight,” he said.

The RCAA has granted Brussels Airlines a third weekly flight between Kigali and Brussels -- increasing the airline’s flights from two to three weekly.

The airline company is currently operating two flights, one on Tuesday and the other on Saturday.

The extra weekly flight will help meet local demand, which Dewachter says is increasing.

"On average 120 passengers to and from Kigali use our airline in 120 hours,” he says.

Dewachter says the increased demand is due to the confidence investors are gaining in the Rwandan economy and the growing tourism industry of Rwanda.

Geert Sciot, Brussels Airlines’ vice-president of communications, says Rwanda’s increased engagement in the international community also helps explain the increased demand for air travel.

"There are many international conferences held here every year, which directly influences demand,” he explained.

Despite the introduction of another weekly flight, Sciot said ticket costs are not expected to decrease right away. But he did say that Brussels Airlines is making strides to lower its costs.

"There are ways in which we try to minimise fuel expenses and other expenses,” he said.

As examples, Sciot cited attempts to reduce unnecessary weight and to stockpile fuel when the market price is low.

Other cost-cutting measures include electronic ticketing, and electronic checking-in, which are so far only used by 15 percent of Brussels Airlines passengers in Europe. 

All these measures, Sciot says, have helped the company save about 10- 15 percent on expenses.

But he did not specify as to whether those savings will be passed on to the consumer.

The RCAA’s airport charges are another hurdle in lowering ticket prices.

The RCAA wants to increase airport charges by more than 50 percent in the next financial year.

Should Cabinet approve the proposed tariffs, passengers using Kigali International Airport will pay $35 (about Frw19, 075), which amounts to $20 more than the current tax of $15.

Ends