Tewodros Tamrat, Director Corporate and Industry Affairs African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has said that RwandAir is emerging as one of the strong and potential airlines in Africa.

He made the remarks, yesterday, at the event to welcome RwandAir’s new Boeing 737-800NB aircraft first landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, Kenya.

The new aircraft, yesterday, made its first route to Nairobi for the first time since its purchase late last month, where it received a warm reception.

"RwandAir is becoming the potential airline to use in the region because of the company’s commitment to promote the aviation industry,” he noted.

Tamrat commended the national carrier as the first African airline to own and operate the Boeing Sky Interior series.

"This is a great achievement for RwandAir to operate such an aircraft with this great new interior,” he asserted.

"The promotion of the aviation industry by RwandAir will contribute favourably to the growth of the economy of the East African Community.

"Speaking to The Sunday Times after welcoming the aircraft, Yamina Karitanyi, Minister Counsellor, Rwanda’s Embassy in Nairobi, said that RwandAir is emerging as one of the major airlines in the region.

"With the purchase of the Boeing 737-800NB, we are very proud of our national carrier because this will attract more passengers to fly with RwandAir,” she said.

According to Eugene Rwasibo Mupenzi, one of the passengers who flew with Boeing 737-800NB from Nairobi to Johannesburg, the aircraft is very comfortable compared to other airplanes he used before.

The national carrier is expected to take delivery of its second Boeing 737-800 planes next month.

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