RwandAir has concluded plans to take delivery of Airbus 330 to be deployed on the Nigeria-Dubai route.
The airline’s country manager, Ibiyemi Odusi disclosed this at a recent meeting in Lagos with the carrier’s trade and corporate partners as well as other customers in to review its global operations.
She said the aircraft which has business premium and economy cabins would first serve the Nigerian- Dubai destination from October before it is deployed on the Lagos -Mumbai route in December.
With a bigger aircraft, she said cargo excess baggage will be better accommodated.
She also said the airline will acquire another aircraft in the first quarter of 2017 for its planned operations to Guangzhou in China for Nigerian passengers.
Thereafter, she explained the purpose of the meeting with the airline’s corporate partners saying it was aimed at gathering inputs for the new financial year, which is already in its first quarter.
She added that the forum provided an avenue for the airline to plan further for the current financial year 2016/17.
Odusi who thanked the airline’s customers and trade partners for the success recorded in the Nigerian market also said the last financial year was a “good outing for the airline on the Nigerian route as its revenue outflows and passenger traffic were the highest in terms of growth in the RwandAir network.”
She said the airline will continue to invest in Nigeria with new products that will engender patronage.
“Nigerian passengers have demonstrated patronage and commitment to the airline and it is time to give back with more quality services and competitive fares,” she said.
She also spoke of the airline’s plans to add new routes soon saying “it is looking forward to strategic partnerships within and outside the continent to develop its hub in Kigali into other global destinations.”
She added that the airline’s frequent Dream Miles flyer programme “is in place which will enable passengers earn mileage on every trip.”
The Dream Miles allows passengers benefit discount on fares, use of airport lounges earn additional baggage allowance, gain cabin upgrades as well as other benefits.
“We are also working on hotel partnerships. The Dream Miles card has recently been upgraded into a Visa Card that would confer corporate benefits,” said Odusi.
RwandAir, with its hub in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, operates to Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Entebbe, Dares Salaam, Lusaka, Bujumbura, Juba, Accra, Brazzaville, Douala, Cotonou and Libreville.
