Rwandair is no longer moving forward with its fleet expansion – AirlineGeeks.com

Rwandair no longer advances with the expansion of its fleet

RwandAir is no longer considering, for now, its previous fleet growth plan of two Airbus A330neos and two Boeing 737 Max orders that it had placed through lessors.

This is an important move for the African operator, which is reassessing its growth plan and re-aligning its ideas with those of Qatar Airways considering ongoing talks with the Qatari airline to acquire a 49% stake in the African airline.

Flight Global reports that Cirium’s fleet data showing that the A330neos would be provided through Air Lease, while the Max aircraft were ordered through SMBC Aviation Capital with all four aircraft ordered in 2018 and originally due to arrive in 2019.

“The process of streamlining the fleet and working on the fleet mix is ​​still a work in progress,” RwandAir CEO Yvonne Makolo said, according to Flight global.

“In accordance with our growth with our future partner, the fleet mix will change,” Makolo continued, noting the large number of types currently operated by the carrier.

The CEO also confirms that RwandAir is no longer moving forward with neos for now and that the decision to cancel MAX orders was made even before the pandemic.

But even as RwandAir expresses optimism about growth under the shadow of the giant Qatari airline, history suggests that Qatar Airways may be open to leasing some of its jets, especially to airlines in which it has shares.

It should be remembered that in February 2018, the now-defunct Air Italy (a victim of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic) leased its Boeing aircraft to Qatar Airways, which had a 49 percent stake, with the airline’s network blocked. in Doha suggesting that he welcomes the opportunities to find an alternative home for some of his incoming planes.

RwandAir has a fleet of 12 aircraft comprising one Airbus A330-200 and one A330-300, four Boeing 737-800, two Boeing 737-700, two Bombardier CRJ 900 and two De Havilland Canada, and the airline will resume flights from August 1.

The canceled aircraft was part of a route expansion plan before the global pandemic hit the aviation industry.

Amid the challenges created by the coronavirus crisis, “we are going to keep the fleet as it is for now,” says Makolo. He adds that “we have had to slow down” the network expansion plans amid the current uncertainties.

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Victor’s love of aviation dates back to when he was 11 years old. Living near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, he developed a love for airplanes and even remembers that he aspired to be a future airline executive for Kenya Airways. He is also passionate about the arts and loves to write and had his own aviation blog before joining AirlineGeeks.

He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration at DeKUT and aspires to pursue a career in a course more related to aviation.

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