KLM to open Kigali route

KIGALI - KLM is set to begin operations in Rwanda with plans to operate five flights a week between Amsterdam and Kigali, a top official has said. The Minister of Infrastructure, Vincent Karega, told a Cabinet meeting on Friday that the Dutch Airline would begin in the next three months. The introduction of KLM comes barely six months after another carrier, Air Uganda, began offering regional airline services between Entebbe and Kigali International Airport. “They have indicated interest and the government’s position is that they should be facilitated in everything,” Dr. Richard Masozera, the Director General of Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority told Sunday Times yesterday. He said KLM’s entry into Rwanda reflects the strong and stable economic growth Rwanda has achieved as well as confidence in the country’s aviation industry. “It’s a big plus for the aviation industry. It will give travellers more air transport options between Europe and Rwanda,” Masozera said. Rwanda’s aviation industry currently has five commercial passenger airlines; Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airline, Brussels Airlines, Air Uganda and Rwanda’s national carrier RwandAir. Meanwhile a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Friday also endorsed four Ambassadors to represent their respective countries in Rwanda. According to the release signed by Protais Musoni, the Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs, Benmokhtar Abderrahmane, Uganda will represent Algeria and will be based in Kampala, Rose Makena Muchiri of Kenya is the new Kenyan envoy to Rwanda, and Ann Dismorr will represent Sweden, with residence in Nairobi, Kenya while Ali Akbar Dabiran will represent Iran, with residence in Kampala, Uganda. Cabinet also proposed Eraste Kabera as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Bujumbura, Burundi. Ends