Domestic RwandAir Passenger Numbers Surge by 280%

The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) has reported a remarkable 280% increase in domestic air travel using RwandAir over the past three years.

This surge is highlighted in the Rwanda Statistical Yearbook 2024, reflecting significant growth in passenger numbers.

According to the report, 5,922 passengers used RwandAir for domestic travel in 2020. This figure soared to 22,547 by 2023, representing an increase of 16,625 passengers.

The rise demonstrates RwandAir’s recovery and growth following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

RwandAir operates a single domestic route, connecting Kigali to Kamembe in Rusizi District, Western Province. The flight costs $99 (approximately 139,000 Rwandan Francs).

Before the pandemic, RwandAir recorded 20,959 domestic passengers in 2019. However, this number plummeted to 5,922 in 2020 due to stringent COVID-19 containment measures. Recovery began in 2021 when passenger numbers doubled to 11,016, eventually tripling by 2023.

RwandAir also reported significant financial gains alongside the rise in passenger numbers. In 2023, the airline generated over 620 billion Rwandan Francs in revenue, an 80% increase from 341 billion Rwandan Francs in 2022.

The pandemic years, however, were financially challenging for the airline. Revenue fell from 334 billion Rwandan Francs in 2019 to 300 billion in 2020, and further to 271 billion in 2021.

During this period, the Rwandan government provided a financial bailout of over 192 billion Rwandan Francs to help the airline navigate the crisis.

As RwandAir continues to recover and expand, the latest figures underscore the airline’s resilience and its growing importance in facilitating domestic travel within Rwanda.

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