Since the visit President Paul Kagame of Rwanda to Turkey, early 2012, to strengthen the existing ties between the two countries, there has been an increased interest of Turkish investment groups into opening businesses in Rwanda.
One of the biggest businesses has been the opening of a Turkish Airline services in Kigali. After speaking to President Kagame, the Chief Executive of Turkish Airlines, Temel Kotil, said that Turkish Airlines will launch its services before the end of this year, beginning with a partnership with RwandAir and later in April 2012, launch the Istanbul-Kigali route.
The maiden flight from the new Turkish Airlines service landed at Kigali International airport in Rwanda, May 15, 2012. This marked Turkish Airlines addition of Rwanda to their growing list of destinations, offering a service that will fly 3-4 times a week between Istanbul and Kigali during the initial launch period.
The launch event was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, Louise Mushyikiwabo, the Minister of Infrastructure, Albert Nsengiyumva, and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba among other guests from both the government and Turkish delegation-composed of the Istanbul Governor, Prosecutor General and the Turkish Airlines CEO among others.
In his address, Kotil, the CEO of the Turkish Airlines commended Rwanda for the excellent investment climate and security. We are valuing Rwanda as a key point to expand our connection to the entire Africa. Kotil said that the choice of Kigali was deliberate. “As Turkish Airlines we are growing very fast and we know that Rwanda is a very important place. Turkey is central to Europe and Asia but Rwanda is in the heart of Africa and we see this place as a hub to the continent.”
This new route will not only connect Kigali to Istanbul but also to 80 cities in Europe, 22 in the Middle East, 2 cities in Central Asia and many other destinations in the rest of the world. Turkish Airlines currently covers more than 200destinations worldwide, 20 destinations in Africa and they are planning to cover over 30 in the next one year.
Travel agencies in Rwanda, say that the new carrier will help in addressing the problem and the challenges involved in connecting Rwanda to West Africa and the biggest clients compared to the available flights. To ease the flow of goods they will also have a cargo carrier that will make it easy for Rwandan business community to transport their heavy cargoes.
According to Kotil, the airline targets a daily flight operation to Kigali and twice in a day flights in the near future. He also confirmed plans for the airline putting in place cargo service with the passenger capacity standing at 70 tones, – which more to offer in comparison to other airlines operating in Kigali; and offering more friendly prices both for cargo and passenger.
During the 32nd Air Transport Facilitation meeting held in Kigali, in May 2012, aviation experts called on Rwanda to fast track efforts of expanding their facility to meet their growing demand, since the airport facility at the Kigali International Airport, located in Kanombe, is tiny and can only accommodate parking for just eight aircraft and administration has to run a strict scheduling to avoid over use.
The country in investing in a new airport worth US$700 million dollars expected to be complete by 2017.
Rwanda’s annual travelers through the airport have also drastically increased since the country emerged out of the 1994 genocide era and due to the increased interest of investors and tourists from all over Asia, Europe and Africa, and increased demand for Rwandans to travel abroad for either business or pleasure.
Since the launch of Turkish airlines in Rwanda, the liner has set up Cargo Services for Rwandan exporters who continue to enjoy easy and reliable air cargo services from Kigali to Istanbul, courtesy of Turkish Airlines.
Rwanda and Turkey have continued to develop a business relationship since President Paul Kagame’s visit to Turkey that sparked-off profound business collaboration between the two countries- which also share some common aspects in culture.
Turkish Airlines service started operation in Kigali, Rwanda last year adding Rwanda to their growing list of destinations, offering a service that will fly 3-4 times a week between Istanbul and Kigali during the initial launch period.
According to Burchin Isler, the Turkish airlines Country Director in Rwanda, the cargo service will enable Rwandan exporters to easily manage to access and expand their trade activities into the Europe and across Asia.
“Our job will be to facilitate business men and women to access the world markets. Our cargo plane is brand new from Airbus, with capacity of 64tons and its first air route from the manufacturer will be straight to Rwanda” he said.
Burchin noted that this program was supposed to be launched in May but due to some delays the new plane will be delivered and the services launched on June 3, 2013.
