Qatar Airways has officially resumed commercial flights to Kigali International Airport. This development is important for Rwanda’s aim to become a key regional aviation hub. This return follows a three-year pause, initially due to global changes and route adjustments during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption, confirmed on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, also comes after recent, widespread airspace closures across the Gulf region that affected Qatar Airways’ operations.
According to the Rwanda Airports Company (RAC), the national agency managing the country’s airports, Qatar Airways will operate four weekly flights between Doha and Kigali. The airline is now utilizing its Airbus A320 aircraft for this route, replacing previous Boeing 787 services. This change offers connectivity to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of over 160 destinations.
Speaking during a press briefing at Kigali International Airport, RAC Director General Habonimana Charles emphasized the significance of this development. “We are proud to welcome Qatar Airways back to Kigali. Rwanda is their second home, and this renewed partnership aligns with our broader strategy to make Kigali a major aviation hub for the region,” said Habonimana.
Yasser Mohamed Ali, Qatar Airways’ Regional Manager for East Africa, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the airline’s commitment to expanding options for passengers in the region.
“We are excited to reconnect with Kigali. Our goal is to collaborate closely with key partners, including RwandAir, to offer travelers more flexibility and convenience. Rwanda is a strategic partner for us, especially as we look ahead to the opening of the new Bugesera International Airport,” he stated.
Qatar Airways returns after recent headwinds in the Gulf
The resumption of the Kigali route on June 25, 2025, comes at a time when Qatar Airways has demonstrated operational resilience. Just days prior, on Monday, June 23, the airline faced widespread disruption due to an Iranian missile strike on the Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar, which led to temporary airspace closures across Qatar and several neighboring countries. This incident forced Qatar Airways to divert over 90 flights and caused significant travel delays for thousands of passengers.
Qatar Airways CEO Badr Al Meer acknowledged the situation, describing it as “one of the more complex operational challenges in modern aviation history.” Despite these sudden and extensive disruptions across its global network, the airline worked to re-route passengers and normalize operations, underscoring its commitment to maintaining connectivity and fulfilling its flight schedules, including the newly reinstated Kigali service.
Strategic investments and future vision
Qatar Airways initially launched its Kigali route in 2012 but temporarily halted operations in December 2021 due to operational restructuring. Its current return reflects improved bilateral relations between Qatar and Rwanda, as well as Qatar’s growing strategic investment in Rwanda’s aviation and tourism sectors.
Aviation experts view this development as a significant step forward in the deepening partnership between Qatar Airways and RwandAir. This collaboration extends beyond flight operations to include plans for strategic cooperation in technical support, training, and resource sharing.
RwandAir CEO Yvonne Makolo recently confirmed that a landmark agreement for Qatar Airways to acquire a 49% equity stake in RwandAir is “at the tail-end” and nearing finalization, promising fleet expansion and deeper integration between the two carriers.
Furthermore, the partnership extends to critical infrastructure development. In 2019, Qatar Airways acquired a 60% stake in the $1.3 billion Bugesera International Airport project, located about 25 kilometers southeast of Kigali.
Construction for this state-of-the-art facility resumed in 2022 after design revisions, and the airport is now expected to be operational between 2027 and 2028. This new airport is designed to handle up to 8 million passengers in its first phase, significantly boosting Rwanda’s capacity.
