Are you planning for your next vacation to Nigeria and you are not sure of which flight to take or airline to use? Well, with already launched direct flights to Abuja, connecting to West Africa has now become easier for you than ever before. The national carrier RwandAir on 27th, April, 2018 set off its new route to Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria which makes it the second largest destination for this airline in West Africa after the Lagos. RwandAir schedules flights 4 (four) days weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) and it operates between Kigali-Rwanda and Abuja-Nigeria. The airline set off its Boeing 737-700 on its first flight to Abuja Airport, officially called Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Kigali International Airport on Friday at 10:30am Rwanda time with about 30 passengers on board.
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport features as the second most leading airport in Nigeria just after Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. It is located within the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria about 40 kilometers away from Abuja and it is run by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This airport derived its name from the first Nigerian president Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport features a single runway and 2 (two) terminals but due to increased demand, the Federal Government of Nigeria confirmed its extension and the first phase of extension is done with the latest equipment already installed at the airport. Around 2008, Nnamdi Azikiwe registered over 2746359 passengers and over 46648 aircraft movements were recorded. The passenger traffic at this airport then hiked with over 1459152 passengers who used this airport between January and June 2009.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport is the most famous airport in Nigeria and features 2 (two) terminals both international and domestic terminals which are situated approximately 1 (one) kilometers away one another. However, domestic operations were transferred to the old Lagos domestic terminal around 2000. The new domestic privately funded terminal called MMA2 has been built and it was opened on 7th April 2007.
Abuja route therefore makes a total of 24 RwandAir destinations in Africa, Asia and Europe. Apart from Nigeria, Rwanda national flag carrier also schedules flights to several other West African states like Accra, Ghana and interestingly, it runs a regional hub in Benin. The agreement was reached with aim to address an ever increasing flight demand in Nigeria a fact that it is one of the main destinations which generate much revenue to Rwanda’s economy. Opening a new route means tapping more potential areas for this flag carrier. Nigeria as state is one of Africa’s most populated country and the largest economy in African continent. The launch is one of the ways to ease connectivity in African continent and also opens more business opportunities for Rwandans and Nigerians.
RwandAir consists of 10 planes but plans to increase the number to at least 20 aircrafts by 2020 and there are plans to launch flights to Cape Town in South Africa which will make a total of 26 RwandAir destinations. RwandAir was granted the 5th freedom right by Nigerian Authorities to fly with no restrictions in Abuja Yaoundé route, West Africa. The bilateral airspace service agreement denotes that the airline is in position to operate from Kigali-Rwanda to Abuja-Nigeria. The agreement was signed together with Cape Verde.
In conclusion, the newly launched flights to Abuja won’t just ease visitor connectivity in Africa but also open business opportunities for both countries (Nigeria and Rwanda) which at end will boast the travel sector. Whether you are a business person, tourist or cooperate, there is no need for you to be worried anymore, a fact that you are now free to take flights from Kigali Rwanda direct to Abuja Nigeria. Enjoy your flights with RwandAir!
