RwandAir has restored regular flights connecting Rwanda with both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, following a period of disruption triggered by heightened tensions between Iran and Israel earlier this month.
Scheduled services to Doha and Dubai had been briefly suspended amid the Middle East crisis, which included missile exchanges and precautionary airspace closures by several Gulf countries. With Qatar’s airspace now reopened and regional tensions easing after a ceasefire announcement, RwandAir has resumed operations, reinforcing Rwanda’s aviation ties across the Gulf.
The carrier’s return to these key hubs provides vital connectivity for passengers and cargo, supporting Kigali’s ambitions to grow as a regional transit center. It also underscores RwandAir’s resilience and its role as a reliable link between East Africa and the Gulf, complementing an existing codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways.
Further expansion may be on the horizon: RwandAir is currently poised to deepen its partnership with Qatar through a proposed acquisition, potentially granting Doha a 49% stake—a deal anticipated to conclude within the coming months. This strategic alliance could accelerate Kigali’s development as an aviation and logistics hub, capitalizing on renewed access to Gulf airspace.
