Kigali, 25 February 2019: Rwanda is hosting the 7th Africa Airports Expansion Summit taking place at Kigali Marriott Hotel from 25-26 February, 2019. The 7^th Airport Expansion Summit, gathered civil aviation and transport authorities, investors, airport owners, airlines and air traffic experts on one hand, as well as consultants, architects, construction companies, equipment providers, technology vendors and service groups from across Africa and the world. Participants are expected to go in discussion and explore Africa`s airport market and its multiple opportunities. Particularly, the Summit was graced by Minister of Works and Transportation from Uganda, Honorable Aggrey Henry BAGIIRE, and the Chairman of Lnoppen, Mr. Alexander Herring.

In his opening remarks, Minister of State in charge of Transport has said that Rwanda is gaining a very important position in the aviation market.  “The Government of Rwanda strongly supports the growth and development of the Air Transport Sector in the country”, he said adding that “our focus areas include the Enhancement of safety and security of air services, capacity building, the strengthening of legal and institutional framework and improvement of service delivery system, the Promotion and implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and last but not least the aim to turn Rwanda into an aviation hub of the region by offering up to date, attractive air transport services, with the best air transport infrastructure and a more competitive national carrier”.

Minister Uwihanganye said that Rwanda is looking at the development of an Airport City that will be managed in close coordination with a Special Economic Zone, and a Theme Park and Entertainment Park. “Developing air transport infrastructure comes along with access, logistics and road works that support the growth. We are guaranteeing that the airport and cargo sector can rely on the necessary road infrastructures to be ready and of high quality”, he added.

Minister of State in charge of Transport stressed that, it is crucial for Rwanda to create a constructive, enabling environment that allows private players to take active part in the projects. “I am very enthusiastic to know that later in the program today and tomorrow topics such as financing, Public Private Partnership (PPP) and private player involvement will be heavily discussed. It is in close partnership with private stakeholders that our airports can grow and yield the performance standards that we are aiming to achieve, he noted.

The Chairman of Lnoppen, Mr. Alexander Herring said that Air transportation has become essential to overcome vast and challenging territories like the African continent, and is expected to grow in passenger numbers by 4.7 per cent per year to reach 294 million by 2034. Although it currently only means a bit more the 2 % of the global market.

On the case study of New Bugesera International Airport (NBIA), the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Aviation Travel and Logistics (ATL) Ltd, Eng. Jules Ndenga said that the NBIA is expected to make Rwanda a Regional aviation hub for the East African Region with attractive home carrier (RwandAir), international traffic to maintain African destinations, airline marketing for African airlines and cooperation with local tour-operators to develop special packages for main tourism areas in Rwanda and neighboring countries for short trips

He noted that currently RwandAir has 26 destinations in 23 countries across three continents. “African and other international airlines have more appetite to fly to Bugesera Airport due to attractive tourism activities”, CEO Ndenga highlighted.

Rwandan airports are set to reach the 1 million visitors per year, with the state-owned airline RwandAir to include new destinations like Addis Ababa, New York and several cities in Italy next to their new long-haul flights to London and Mumbai. All of that without including the finalisation of the New Bugesera International Airport, of which first phase completion is due by the end of 2019 and which is expected to host 1.9 million passengers a year. The country is a fine example of the improvements in the African continent regarding air transportation expansion.