Rwanda’s flag carrier, RwandAir is expected to make maiden flight to Bangui in Central African Republic from 3 February operating twice a week, the airline said in a statement obtained by APA Sunday.The airline says that the development is informed by  identification of a lucrative market and is aimed at stimulating trade  in the region.

“The launch of our new twice-weekly service to  Bangui will open up a new lucrative market for RwandAir and help  stimulate trade in the region and beyond Africa,” Yvonne Manzi Makolo,  RwandAir Chief Executive said.

“We believe this new route will  strengthen the growing trade ties in Africa and bolster Rwanda’s growing  economy. Customers will benefit from more choice, through our premium  onboard service, and will fly in a safe and hygienic environment thanks  to our world-class cleaning measures.”

RwandAir resumed  commercial flights in August 2020 across its global network, including  most of its African routes, as well as some long-haul destinations such  as London Heathrow, Brussels and Dubai.

The airline has resumed about 70 per cent of flights that were halted by the pandemic.

To  ensure the health and safety amidst a pandemic, RwandAir has published a  Five-Step Health & Safety Guide to provide for a clean and secure  onboard experience.

To drive recovery, the government in the last  budget increased funding to the national carrier to Rwf145.1 billion in  the 2020/21 fiscal year, up from Rwf121.8 billion the previous  financial year, citing that it will bring more muscle to help the  airline respond to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.