RwandAir resumes flights to Burundi

Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, will effective today, Wednesday, resume its daily flights to Burundi capital, exactly two weeks after suspending the Bujumbura route following an attempted coup and airport closure by the putschists. John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer, RwandAir, told The New Times on Tuesday they would be resuming flights to Rwanda’s southern neighbour after assessing the situation and confirming that it is safe to fly to the country which has been rocked by violent protests for two months now. Protests want President Pierre Nkurunziza to withdraw his candidature from next month’s polls, which have ignited tensions that have driven more than 100,000 Burundians to neighbouring countries, with more than 26,000 crossing into Rwanda. Opposition and protesters insist Nkurunziza has already served his maximum two-term limits, which his supporters dispute arguing that his first term does not count since he was picked by parliament, and not elected through adult universal suffrage. At least 30 people have died in the violence. RwandAir serves 16 destinations in Africa and the Middle East and plans to extend operations to new destinations, including in Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, RwandAir on Tuesday sealed its membership to International Air Transport Association (IATA), the worlds leading airline trade association, after successfully undergoing a safety audit last year.

News

RwandAir resumes flights to Burundi