RwandAir partners with Qatar Airways Cargo to launch new Africa Hub

RwandAir has launched a major new African cargo hub in partnership with Qatar

Airways Cargo, executives said in a media release shared with this website on May 8.

The new Kigali Cargo Hub is part of a long-term strategic plan for the cargo division of

RwandAir, which has seen cargo carried rise by nearly 26% in the last five years.

The initiative will help RwandAir develop Kigali into a regional cargo powerhouse, boosting exports and imports around Africa and strengthening links with key overseas markets.

The partnership saw Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) provide consultancy support to

RwandAir Cargo to help improve its already highly successful cargo handling performance.

RwandAir welcomed the arrival of a Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777x freighter at the

airline’s home hub in Kigali, to mark the official launch of the major new cargo facility.

Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, and Guillaume Halleux Qatar Airways Cargo’s Chief

Officer, were on hand to watch the aircraft land, as well as local dignitaries, freight

forwarders, partners, and customers.

Makolo said: “We are very proud to partner with Qatar Airways Cargo to launch today the brand-new Kigali Cargo Hub, which will open up new cargo opportunities across Africa. “Africa is home to a hugely diverse economy, with businesses and entrepreneurs looking for better connections to create new markets and expand inward investment. Together have created a fantastic new facility to meet this growing demand across Africa.”

Guillaume Halleux, Qatar Airways’ Chief Officer of Cargo, said: “Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, yet for it to develop to its full potential requires investment in logistics and infrastructure. Qatar and Rwanda have long-enjoyed bilateral trade agreements, with both Qatar Airways and Qatar Investment Authority investing in the construction of the new Kigali Airport and RwandAir. It was, therefore, a logical step that Qatar Airways Cargo supports RwandAir in its cargo ambitions.”

Halleux added: “We are also very thankful to Bolloré, who helped us in developing

Kigali International Airport as Qatar Airways Cargo’s African hub. With its strong African

presence, Bolloré will provide around 30% of the baseload on our Qatar Airways Cargo’s

freighters, as we look to grow with the market.”

Since RwandAir began, cargo has been an important component of its operations, which has grown in tandem with the airline.

The airline’s geographic location at the heart of Africa has placed it in a unique position to reach every corner of the continent, providing seamless connectivity, promoting trade, and strengthening its relations with countries both within Africa and around the world.

With the launch of the new cargo hub, RwandAir will continue to offer customers reliable,

high-quality cargo services across Africa.

It is supported by the entry into service of its first dedicated freighter aircraft – a Boeing 737- 800- and enabled the launch of new freighter services to the airline’s key destinations across Africa and the Middle East. The Airline’s destinations include; Johannesburg, Lagos, Lusaka, Brazzaville, Harare, Maputo, Entebbe, Nairobi, and Sharjah in the UAE.