Kigali International Airport is one of the major airports in Rwanda, strategically located in the suburb of Kanombe Sector on the eastern side of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. It was formerly known as Kanombe International Airport. The airport is approximately five kilometers by road east of the central business district of Kigali.
Earlier in 2024, in June, a project began to build another mega airport in Bugesera District, Eastern Province, which will become the biggest and main air gateway for all destinations in Rwanda. The airport welcomes people from all countries, using various airlines on a neutral timetable.
Some flights carry transit goods, especially to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, covering Bukavu and Goma.
The air transport industry features a variety of airlines. Rwanda has its own airline called RwandAir. Other airlines operating in the country include Akagera Aviation, a Rwandan helicopter company; Tempus Jet, an American airline providing charter flights; and Nexus Aero, a Saudi VIP airline.
Additional international airlines include Qatar Airways, Delta Airlines, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Uganda Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Sky Airline, and many others.
Historically, the airport was the only means of exiting the country since Rwanda is landlocked. This made it easier for wars to succeed. During the Rwandan Civil War, Kigali Airport was a major strategic point and originally had only two runways.
After the Arusha Accords, one runway was closed at the request of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). This led to the assassination of President Habyarimana, and according to allegations, it might have been carried out by the RPF or the Rwandan Defense Force.
This tragedy intensified the war between the Tutsi and Hutu, taking the lives of many innocent people, including children. In many cases, entire schools were burned down.
Returning to the airport’s progress, in 2008, it handled over 145,189 passengers, and by 2010, it served 290,000 passengers.
Upgrades to meet growing demands were announced by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and by 2014, passenger traffic had grown by 30% to 488,903 passengers. The airport handled over 300 flights that year.
There are now three terminals replacing the single-story building, which now houses the VIP terminal. The main terminal can handle six small to mid-sized aircraft.
Kigali International Airport is always open for you. Safe flight!
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