Kigali International Airport is getting smarter by the day. It all began with the availability of free high speed WiFi and later, the introduction of the electronic do-it-yourself immigration control gates. All that was done to give travelers a flawless airport experience as well as improve efficiency. The latest addition is the light vehicle scanner at the entrance of the airport. There will be no more need to remove luggage for the sniffer dogs to inspect; the scanner will do the job. Airport authorities clearly have the safety of passengers at the top of the list. The latest addition to the safety features comes hot on the heels of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) awarding Rwanda a certificate for compliance with ICAOs safety standards after scoring 74 per cent in terms of aviation safety control which was “well-above the African and global average”. Air travel on the continent is very problematic and Rwanda is slowly finding a niche with the national carrier, RwandAir, linking many African capitals. That is why it set up a holding company; Aviation Travel and Logistics that will, among others, manage airports, RwandAir, Akagera Aviation, as well as ground handling and tourism services. There is definitely a future in air travel and some African countries have taken notice and are trying to revive some of their defunct airlines. Unfortunately, the private sector is conspicuously absent in the aviation industry, it is only the Government that is playing the lone ranger. This is an opportunity to explore the market, and with the opening of the new Bugesera International Airport in the next few years, expect the industry to flourish. The private sector should not miss that chance.
