Rwanda announces construction plans for new airport

Rwandan officials have announced plans to begin construction next year on a US$318 million state of the art airport at Bugesera. The airport will have an initial capacity to handle 1 million passengers annually and should be completed by 2013. It is hoped that Bugesera will become a regional hub.

Linda Bihire, Minister of Infrastructure said that work on the design of the project, by UK firm TPS Consult, is almost 60 percent completed. The architectural design provides room for expansion into new terminals as demand arises in future.

The government wants the construction bill to be footed through a public-private partnership, inviting investors to take up ownership in the ambitious project. Being a landlocked country, Rwanda hopes that the new airport will help establish direct flights to Europe and other busy business destinations in the hope of attracting more trade to the country. A second phase for expansion is expected in 2025 to give the airport with another runway.

Bihire said that the government was in talks with several airlines, including British Airways, Qatar, Emirates and Virgin Airways, on the possibility of direct flights to the UK or via Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta airport. Currently some of the airlines that operate in Rwanda include the country’s Rwandair Express, Kenya Airways, SN Brussels and South Africa Airways.

8 June 2009