In December 2015, RwandAir signed a lease agreement with Aircraft Lease Corporation, an American-based lessor to acquire two brand-new Boeing 737-800NGs.
The deliveries of the 2 aircraft named Kalisimbi and Muhabura will take place on November 16, 2016 and in May 2017 respectively. RwandAir becomes the first airline in Africa and second globally to acquire a Boeing 737- 800NG equipped with inflight connectivity on a line-fit program.
The 154-seater aircraft in a dual- class cabin configuration are otherwise identical to the two Boeing 737- 800NG with the first Boeing Sky Interior in Africa purchased 6 years ago.
“The proven operating economics and passenger comfort make the aircraft the right equipment to deploy on our medium-haul flights, and as we continue to expand our network, we are delighted to offer a Wi-Fi fully-connected aircraft to serve today’s sophisticated traveler,” said John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer of RwandAir.
RwandAir’s young fleet will grow to 12 aircraft, and its capacity in terms of seats will double with the acquisition of the fourth B737-800NG and its second A330-300 named “Umurage,” a larger variant compared to the first delivery a few weeks ago of “Ubumwe” which was a -200 model.
Earlier this month, the airline obtained its ISAGO (IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations) certification in addition to the e-IOSA (Enhanced IATA Operational Safety Audit) certificate which was renewed in the middle of this year.
All eyes will be on Kigali’s international airport tomorrow to welcome home yet another brand-new aircraft which makes RwandAir’s fleet the youngest on the continent.
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