RwandAir’s second leased Boeing 737-500, is expected to arrive at Kigali International Airport this Friday, an official has revealed.

The new Boeing leased from the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), will be an additional to the already existing fleet of two CRJ-200s aircrafts and one dry-leased Boeing 737-500.

According to the Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Michael Otieno, the aircraft will have a two class configuration of 12 business class seats and 90 economy class seats.

"The Boeing is coming in to support the Johannesburg root and the chatter we are using to transport the troops to Darfur region,” Otieno said.

He also noted  that after the acquisition of the planes, the company is set to open new destinations, yet to be announced.

Earlier the RwandAir’s management had announced that it was planning to introduce new destinations - Dubai, Addis and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and as well to capture the West African market.

Last month, RwandAir signed an agreement with the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission to transport Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) troops to and from Darfur. Currently, the National Carrier is using the 737-500 Boeing to transport peace keepers.

The leasing agreement signed back in April between RwandAir and GECAS, was to facilitate the carrier to receive two Boeing 737-500s.

GECAS is a leading global player in commercial aircraft leasing and financing, with over 1,800 owned and managed aircraft.

It also boasts of 23 offices, and more than 245 customers in over 75 countries.

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