Rwandair will this month officially launch its maiden flights to Dubai via Mombasa. The national airliner has made changes in its flight schedules mainly to accommodate new destinations and also create a network operation for better connectivity.

Another company, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, has announced that it will, by the end of the month, officially start the new winter schedule by launching its flights between Amsterdam and Kigali International Airport

The new scheduled destinations have three things to show case. First, the increase of flights out of Rwanda means that the growth of business linkages between Rwanda and the outside world has improved. Secondly it means that Rwanda is now literally destined to be a business and financial hub.

However, it is also significant in a way that fares will dramatically drop as competition increases between the service providers.

It should be noted that the competition comes with improved efficiency, service, and economies of scale. This will also help reduce the cost and increase the volume of air travel from Rwanda to foreign destinations.

Though historically, air travel has been adversely affected by economic slowdown as businesses and consumers tightened their purse strings, economic conditions in Rwanda have improved. Air travel growth in Africa is similarly linked to the economy of a given country.

Therefore, the pace of growth of air travel in Rwanda will also increase the pace of growth of the economy.

Ends