The number of domestic air passengers in Rwanda rose significantly by 42.5 percent, from 15,821 in 2022, to 22,547 in 2023, according to the 2024 Statistical Yearbook released this week. Rwanda’s only domestic flight route, Kigali-Kamembe, is primarily operated by national carrier RwandAir using the Bombardier Q-400 Next Generation aircraft. The flight departs daily in the morning, offering a 30-minute journey compared to the five-hour drive by road. A ticket costs $99. ALSO READ: RwandAir records 80% revenue growth in 2023 Passenger numbers on this route have varied over the years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2017, there were 19,892 passengers, followed by 19,281 in 2018 and 20,959 in 2019. The pandemic led to a steep decline, with passenger numbers dropping to 5,922 in 2020. However, a steady recovery was recorded, with 11,016 passengers in 2021, 15,821 in 2022, and the recent rise to 22,547 in 2023. Kamembe, in southwestern Rwanda, serves as a gateway to major tourist attractions, including Nyungwe Forest National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The town boasts colonial-era architecture and offers visitors opportunities to explore Lake Kivu by boat and experience its vibrant birdlife. RwandAir’s revenue growth In 2024, the Rwanda Fiscal Risk Statement (FRS) for the 2024/25 financial year highlighted RwandAir’s achievements in reducing fiscal risks by boosting its revenues. In 2023, the airline achieved an 82 percent increase in total revenue, reaching Rwf620.6 billion, up from Rwf341 billion in 2022. The growth followed a challenging period during the pandemic, with revenues declining from Rwf334 billion in 2019 to Rwf300 billion in 2020, and further to Rwf271 billion in 2021. ALSO READ: RwandAir announces programme to train young pilots According to RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo, the airline experienced exceptional growth after the pandemic. Speaking to The New Times in September, she noted that the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s projections show demand for air travel tripling in the next 20 years. “The potential for growth is therefore enormous. Our recent growth is down to three key factors: Rwanda’s tourism boom, investment in cargo and our growing Kigali hub,” she noted.
