Rwanda Approves Bilateral Air Service Agreements with 12 Countries to Boost Trade and Tourism

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In a significant move aimed at expanding Rwanda’s international aviation footprint and enhancing global connectivity, the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Monday, May 26, approved the ratification of bilateral air service agreements with 12 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

The countries included in the new agreements are Eswatini, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Zimbabwe, Georgia, France, Poland, Oman, Suriname, and Canada.

Bilateral air service agreements (BASAs) are formal treaties that enable international commercial air transport services between two nations. These agreements typically define the terms under which airlines from each country can operate scheduled flights, including passenger and cargo services, between their territories. They may include provisions on route rights, traffic rights, safety standards, and pricing, among other elements.

By ratifying these agreements, Rwanda aims to:

• Enhance its global air connectivity by opening new routes and expanding flight options to and from Rwanda.
• Facilitate the movement of people and goods, easing travel for business and tourism as well as improving logistical networks for cargo, imports, and exports.
• Promote bilateral trade and investment through increased access to new markets and stronger commercial linkages.
• Support the growth of Rwanda’s aviation sector, especially the national carrier RwandAir, by allowing it to operate in more international markets.

The newly approved BASAs are expected to strengthen Rwanda’s diplomatic and economic ties with the respective partner countries, while aligning with the country’s broader strategic goal of becoming a regional aviation hub and a key player in global commerce and tourism.

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The move also signals Rwanda’s ongoing commitment to liberalising air transport and facilitating open skies, in line with regional initiatives such as the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which seeks to improve intra-African connectivity.