Aviation Qatar Airways to buy 49% of Rwanda’s flag carrier By Pramod Kumar June 17, 2024, 4:36 AM RwandAir/X Rwandan flag carrier RwandAir has access to Qatar Airways’ network due to a code-share agreement with the Gulf airline Qatar Airways is expected to buy a 49 percent stake in Rwanda’s flag carrier RwandAir as early as July as part of the Gulf airline’s strategy to expand in Africa, according to a media report. Qatar Airways’ purchase will boost Rwanda’s aviation sector and allow RwandAir to expand its operations and fleet, Financial Times reported, quoting RwandAir CEO Yvonne Makolo. The value of the stake was not given. NewsletterGet the Best of AGBI delivered straight to your inbox every week The talks have been continuing for almost five years. “Now, we’re really at the tail-end of it,” Makolo said. Due to a code-share agreement, RwandAir has access to Qatar Airways’ network. It owns three widebody aircraft for its Brussels, London and Paris flights. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) said Africa accounts for just 2 percent of global air traffic despite being home to about 18 percent of the world’s population. Qatar Airways has also taken a 60 percent stake in Rwanda’s new $1.3 billion Bugesera international airport in Kigali. The airport will be operational in 2027 and have an initial capacity of 8 million passengers, the report said, quoting Makolo.
