RwandAir receives its first Boeing 737-800SF cargo jet

Rwanda’s national carrier RwandAir has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-800 SF, the airline’s first cargo-dedicated aircraft.

Delivered on November 24, 2022, the freighter will operate from the airline’s hub in Kigali and expand its cargo operation to destinations in Africa and the Middle East, the airline said in a statement. These destinations include Johannesburg, Nairobi, and UAE, the airline added.

Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, said the new freighter will play a significant role in RwandAir’s operations. “The delivery of our dedicated cargo aircraft is a huge milestone in RwandAir’s fleet expansion plans,” Makolo explained.

“Cargo is of ever-increasing importance for the aviation industry, and as a landlocked country, we recognize the importance and value of good cargo connections,” Makolo added.

RwandAir currently owns a fleet of 13 aircraft, comprised of seven Boeing 737s, two Bombardier CRJ-900s, two Bombardier Q-400s and two Airbus A330s. Its fleet operates to destinations across East, Central, West, and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

RwandAir aims “to ensure that Africa is seamlessly connected to the world, driving economic growth and valuable trade deals,” Makolo said.