Rwanda: RwandAir suspends flights between Kigali <> Cape Town!

The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, RwandAir, has announced the suspension of flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa. According to the airline, the suspension becomes effective on 27 October 2024. Passengers holding tickets after this date are advised to contact RwandAir or their preferred travel agents for rebooking options. 

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Malawi: Malawi Airlines set to launch flights to three new regional destinations!

The flag carrier airline of Malawi, Malawi Airlines, is planning to launch flights to three new regional destinations. According to postings on facebook, the airline is planing to introduce flights from Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe to two destinations in Mozambique, namely Nampula Airport (APL) in Nampula and Pemba Airport (POL) in Pemba, as well as flights from Lilongwe to the capital of Rwanda, Kigali. Malawi Airlines has so far not provided any information on the launch date for its flights to the Mozambican destinations besides "route commencing soon". However, flights to Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali are set to commence from mid-August 2023. We'll keep you posted!

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Rwanda: Rwandair has launched flights between Kigali <> Paris!

The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, Rwandair, has introduced direct flights to Paris in France on 17 April 2023. The new flights to the French capital operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights depart Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali at 00:30, arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris at 09:00 the same morning. The returning flights leave Paris at 21:30 arriving in Kigali at 06:00 the following morning. Paris is the 25th destination on Rwandair's route map.

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Five destinations in Southern & East Africa made it to list of the "World's 100 Greatest Places 2022"!

The Time Magazine, an American weekly news magazine and news website, has released its fourth annual list of the "World's 100 Greatest Places". To compile this list, the magazine solicited nominations of places from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. Five destinations in Southern Africa and East Africa have been selected by the Time Magazine to be featured on the list of the "World's Greatest Places 2022". These are Franschhoek in South Africa, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia, Nairobi in Kenya and Kigali in Rwanda. Congratulations!

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

Ein Beitrag geteilt von TIME (@time)

Rwandair resumes flights to South Africa, Zambia & Zimbabwe! [update]

update (06 May 2021): Rwandair operates one weekly direct flight between Kigali and Johannesburg and the other two weekly flights via Lusaka. Flights between Kigali and Cape Town will all be operated via Harare.

Rwanda's flag carrier, Rwandair, has announced the resumption of flights to South Africa. The airline suspended flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg on 08 February 2021 due to to the global concerns on covid variants throughout southern Africa. Rwandair will resume flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 07 May 2021 with three weekly frequencies on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. According to Rwandair's facebook page, flights between Kigali and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town are set to resume on 14 May 2021. Flights to Lusaka in Zambia (07 May 2021) and Harare in Zimbabwe (14 May 2021) will also be re-introduced. 

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Rwanda has updated the current Covid-19 prevention measures!

The Government of Rwanda has reviewed the current Covid-19 prevention measures and announced an update. The existing measures will get extended countrywide - including the current lockdown of Kigali - from 03 February 2021 through 07 February 2021. 

From 08 February 2021 until 22 February 2021, the following measures will be in effect in the city of Kigali:

• Movements will be prohibited between 19:00 and 04:00.
• Public offices will be closed.
• Private businesses will resume with essential staff at not more than 30% capacity. Business resuming operations must close by 17:00.
• All schools (public and private), including universities, will remain closed.
• Movement between Kigali and other provinces and districts in Rwanda will not be permitted, except for essential services or tourism.
• Tourism activity will continue in strict adherence with Covid-19 guidelines. Tourists must possess negative Covid-19 test results. Travellers, including drivers, traveling to tourism entities within Kigali and other provinces and districts in Rwanda are required to complete and submit movement requests through the Tourism Movement Facilitation Form. Travellers are also required to send copies of negative COVID-19 test results to visitrwanda@rbd.rw at least 24 hours prior to the trip. More information is found here.
• Public transport will resume within Kigali and should not exceed 50% capacity. Motorcycle taxis will be permitted to carry passengers.
• Physical meetings, events, and gatherings will not be permitted.
• Gyms and recreational centers will remain closed. All swimming pools will be closed except for those at hotels hosting tested guests. Only individual sports will be permitted from 05:00 to 09:00.
• Restaurants and cafés will only provide take-away service. All bars will remain closed.
• Places of worship will remain closed.

From 08 February 2021 until 22 February 2021, the following measures will be in effect in all other areas of Rwanda (outside of Kigali): 

• Movements will be prohibited between 19:00 and 04:00.
• Movement between districts will be prohibited.
• Schools will continue operating with appropriate COVID-19 prevention measures.
• Places of worship will remain closed.
• All social gatherings will be prohibited.
• Public transportation, including motorcycle taxis, will continue operating.
• All bars will remain closed.
• Public gyms and swimming pools will be restricted from the public with the exception of tested guests staying at hotels.

Updated procedures for arrival to Rwanda from 08 February 2021:

• Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali will remain open.
• Arriving passengers must present a negative PCR Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours of first departure to Rwanda.
• All arriving passengers must self-quarantine for 7 days and take a PCR Covid-19 test at the end Rwanof this period.

Covid-19: Rwanda imposes tough lockdown measures on Kigali!

The Government of Rwanda yesterday (18 January 2021) imposed tough lockdown measures on its capital Kigali and strict restrictions on the rest of the country after a surge in cases of Covid-19. The follwing measures took effect yesterday and will be reviewed after 15 days upon a health assessment:

Kigali:

• Unnecessary movements including visits outside home are prohibited except for essential services including medical/healthcare, food shopping, banking etc. and for the personnel performung such services. All movements will require an approved permit from Rwanda National Police.
• Travel between Kigali and other provinces and districts of the country is not permitted except for essential services and tourism (tourists must be in possession of a negative Covid-19 test).
• Public transport is prohibited. However, transportation of food and essential goods will continue to function. Motos and bicycles are not permitted to carry passengers, but may offer delivery services.
• All employees (public and private) shall work from home, except for those providing essential services.
• Businesses are closed, except distribution and delivery services as well as those selling food, medicine (pharmacies), hygiene and cleaning products, fuel and other essental items. Those businesses are only allowed to operate at 30% capacity. Businesses permitted to operate must close by 18:00.
• Restaurant and cafès are only allowed to provide take-away service.
• All schools (public and private) including universities are closed. However, remote learning is encouraged.
• Places of worship are closed.
• Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali remains open. Arriving passengers must present a negative PCR test taken within 120hrs prior to their first departure. Departing passengers must present a negative PCR test before departure.
• Designated hotels for arriving passengers remain open under strict Covid-19 prevention measures.
• Tourism activity continues in strict adherence with Covid-19 health guidelines. This includes hotels, tour operators and transport services facilitating guests. Tourists and service providers shall inform the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) of itineraries.
• Hotels are only allowed to host essential conferences upon written approval from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
• Farming continues for the ongoing agricultural season while observing Covid-19 control measures.
• Funeral gatherings shall not exceed 15 persons.

Rwanda (except for Kigali):

• Movements are prohibited from 18:00 to 04:00.
• Places of worship are closed
• Schools will continue while respecting Covid-19 control measures
• All bars remain closed
• All social gatherings and events including religious wedding ceremonies, receptions, meetings and confereneces are prohibited.
• Public gyms and swimming pools shall be restricted from the public with the exception of tested guests staying at hotels.
• Attendance at a wake/vigil (Ikiriyo) should not exceed 10 people at any one time.
• Funeral gatherings should not exceed 15 persons
• Gaming activites remain prohibited.

Rwandair to resume flights between Kigali <> Cape Town!

The flag carrier of Rwanda, Rwandair, is set to resume flights to Cape Town. Effective 02 December 2020, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town via Robert Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Flights will depart Kigali at 07:20 and arrive in Cape Town at 14:20 via Harare (10:00 > 11:00), while the return flights will depart Cape Town at 15:20 and arrive in Kigali at 22:20 via Harare (18:40 > 19:40). A Bombardier CRJ-900 NextGen will be used on the route, with seven seats in business class and 68 in economy.

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Rwanda: Rwandair to resume flights to Brussels and London!

The flag carrier of Rwanda, Rwandair, is set to resume flights to Europe. Effective 03 October 2020, the airline will operate return flights from Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali to Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London via Brussels Airport (BRU) in Brussels. Flights will initially resume on a twice-weekly basis, before increasing to three-times-weekly from 25 October 2020. Rwandair will operate an Airbus A330 twin-aisle aircraft on the route.
The resumption of European services will see Rwandair switch its UK operations from Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London, with commercial flights to Kigali International Airport (KGL) now departing from Heathrow Airport (LHR) for the first time.

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Cape Town & Kigali are among Forbes' 20 Best Places to Visit 2020!

American business magazine, Forbes, has released the 2020 editon of the "Best Places to Visit". According to the magazine, Cape Town in South Africa is on third position among the top 20 best places to visit in 2020 and the highest-ranking African destination on this list. Rwanda's capital Kigali also made it to the selection and was named fifth "best place to visit" next year. The list of Forbes' 20 "Best Places to Visit" 2020 was compiled by agents of the Oviation Travel Group, a travel company with more than 30 locations, 700 employees and over 200 independent travel advisors in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Forbes' 20 "Best Places to Visit" 2020:

1. Amangiri/Lake Powell, Utah/Antelope Canyon, Arizona (USA)
2. Palermo/Sicily, Italy
3. Cape Town, South Africa
4. Bariloche/Patagonia, Argentina
5. Kigali, Rwanda
6. Marrakech, Morocco
7. Porto/Douro Valley, Portugal
8. Tel Aviv, Israel
9. Atacama Desert, Chile
10. Dubrovnik, Croatia
11. Tokyo, Japan
12. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
13. Kotor, Montenegro  
14. Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico
15. Chiang Mai, Thailand
16. Machu Picchu/Cusco, Peru
17. Melbourne, Australia
18. Mendoza, Argentina
19. Vira Vira, Chile
20. San Miguel del Allende, Mexico

Rwandair to launch direct flights between Kigali <> Tel Aviv!

Rwanda's flag carrier, Rwandair, is set to launch a new direct service between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv, Israel. Effective 25 June 2019, the airline will operate three weekly return fligths to Israel on board a Boeing 737-800.

• Kigali 00:30 > 07:30 Tel Aviv [WB 502] on Tuedays, Thursdays and Saturdays
• Tel Aviv 00:40 > 05:40 Kigali [WB 503] on Wednesdays and Fridays
• Tel Aviv 23:50 > 05:00+1 Kigali [WB 503] on Saturdays

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Rwandair to temporarily increase flights between Kigali - Harare - Cape Town!

Rwanda's flag carrier airline, Rwandair, will temporarily increase flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. An additional 5th weekly service will be operated from 06 July 2019 to 28 September 2019 onboard a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. 
From its main base at Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Rwanda's capital Kigali, Rwandair operates domestic and international services to East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

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RwandAir to launch direct flights between Kigali <> Addis Ababa!

Rwanda's flag carrier, RwandAir, is set to launch scheduled direct flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa in April 2019. The airline will operate five flights per week on board a Bombardier CRJ-900NG aircraft between the two destinations. Addis Ababa will be Rwandair's 27th destination in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

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Rwandair to temporarily increase capacity between Kigali - Harare - Cape Town!

In a response to the popular demand for the direct service from Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, Rwandair will be introducing an Airbus A330-200 to support an additional 88 seats per flight between 28 November 2018 and 14 January 2019. The increase in capacity takes the total passengers per flight from 151 to 239. Rwandair is currently operating a Boeing 737-800 on flights between Kigali, Harare and Cape Town.

Rwandair to increase flights to Europe in December 2018/January 2019!

Rwanda's flag carrier, Rwandair, is set to increase its service between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London via Brussels Airport (BRU) in Brussels during the 2018/19 European winter peak season. According to aviation specialist Routes Online, the airline will operate an additional flight on board an Airbus A320 on Fridays from 14 December 2018 to 17 January 2019.

• Kigali 08:00 > 15:50 Brussels 17:10 > 17:25 London
• London 19:00 > 20:40 Brussels 21:40 > 07:00+1 Kigali

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Rwanda builds a new international airport near Kigali!

The current President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has laid the foundation stone for the country's new Bugesera International Airport (BIA), located about 25 southeast of Kigali near the town of Rilima in the Bugesera District in southeastern Rwanda. The construction works have been planned in two phases for a total budget of $818 million. The first phase will cost $418 million, scheduled for completion by December 2018. During the following phase extension works will be undertaken worth $400 million. Bugesera International Airport will be Rwanda's largest International Airport and will complement Kigali International Airport (KGI) in Kigali, which is now operating at maximum capacity.



Bugesera International Airport (BIA) will have an initial capacity to handle 1.8 million passengers annually. The total construction of the airport is expected to be complete by 2019 and will include the 4,200m runway, a state-of-the-art passenger terminal with a capacity for 4.5 million passengers as well as modern cargo terminal.

Rwandair to introduce flights to Brussels!

The flag carrier of Rwanda, Rwandair, is set to introduce three flights per week between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Brussels Airport (BRU) in Brussels on 14 July 2017. The flights from Kigali to the capital of Belgium will be non-stop, while the return flights will be via London. The new route will be operated on board an Airbus A330 in a triple class cabin and equipped with inflight connectivity.
The launch of flights to Brussels comes after the airline’s successful entry into the London market last month (May). The new route takes RwandAir’s network to twenty-three destinations.

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Rwanda: Rwandair to launch direct flights to London in May 2017!

update (20 April 2017): Rwandair will operate flights to Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

• Kigali 12:30 > 20:10 London
• London 21:30 > 07:15 Kigali

update (29 March 2017): Rwandair will operate three weekly flights (!) between Kigali and London's Gatwick Airport (LGW) on board the newly acquired state of the art Airbus A330 fleet in a triple class configuration with inflight connectivity.

Rwanda's flag carrier, Rwandair, is set to launch scheduled direct flights to London in the UK on 26 May 2017. The airline will operate four weekly flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays onboard an Airbus A330-200 carrier in a three-class configuration between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London.

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RwandAir: Flights to Harare and Mumbai will start in April 2017!

The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, Rwandair, has confirmed the launch dates for its new services to Harare (Zimbabwe) and Mumbai (India). Flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare will commence on 01 April 2017 and flights between Kigali and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai on 03 April 2017. The flights to Harare which will be tagged to the existing Lusaka (Zambia) route will be operated daily while the Mumbai flights will be operated non-stop four times per week respectively.

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Rwandair to introduce flights between Kigali <> Harare!

update (13 Jan 2017): Rwandair will operate four flights per week between Kigali > Lusaka > Harare > Kigali on board a Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft.

The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, Rwandair, is set to introduce direct flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare in April 2017. According to a tweet by the airline, the exact launch date (as well as frequencies etc.?) will be communicated very soon. We'll keep you posted!

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