Rwandair Express
Rwanda · RWANDAIR · Active
Airline Identity
History
RwandAir was launched on 1 December 2002 as Rwandair Express, established by the Rwandan government to rebuild national air links after the collapse of the country's earlier flag carrier following the 1994 genocide. It rebranded as RwandAir in 2009 to reflect its ambitions to become a full-service, internationally focused airline rather than a small regional operator, and expanded steadily across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe over the following decade. In 2020, Qatar Airways acquired a 49% stake in the airline, deepening ties with the oneworld alliance's Gulf carrier.
Current Operations
RwandAir operates a fleet of Airbus A330s, Boeing 737s and Bombardier CRJ900s from its hub at Kigali International Airport, serving roughly 20-plus destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe, with a further operating base planned in Cotonou, Benin. It is majority-owned by the Government of Rwanda alongside Qatar Airways' 49% stake, and since 2022 has been in discussions, with Qatar Airways' backing, to join the oneworld alliance as its second African member after Royal Air Maroc; as of this writing that process remains ongoing rather than finalized.
Last verified 2026-09-02· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.