RWANDAIR ATTAINS IOSA CERTIFICATION – ANOTHER FIRST FOR RWANDA’S NATIONAL AIRLINE
(Posted 13th November 2014)
RwandAir late yesterday announced that IATA, the International Air Transport Association, has awarded them the coveted IOSA Certificate following an extensive audit process which the airline had to undergo over several months with every aspect of operations closely monitored and assessed.
The audit was carried out on behalf of IATA by the GHS Aviation Group, one of the few companies approved by IATA to conduct such audits on their behalf.
The initial certification will run until June 2016, at which time another audit will have taken place to ensure continued safe operations, which must adhere to the highest global standards.
John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer of RwandAir, made the announcement at the airline’s headoffice at Kigali International Airport yesterday late afternoon when he commented: ‘This is a significant milestone for RwandAir. It has shown that the hard work being put in every day by all employees is bearing fruit. RwandAir management takes pride and extends its appreciation to each and every employee at RwandAir who spent sleepless nights to see this dream come true. Passing IOSA is vital to the sustainability of RwandAir as it is a mandatory requirement to obtain IATA registration, alliance memberships and code share agreements’.
RwandAir’s project manager for the audit process, Mrs. Sonia Kamikazi, was equally pleased and heaped praise on her colleagues for the massive team effort to accomplish the airline’s first ever such certification.
RwandAir now serves 16 destinations out of their Kigali hub, the latest route being Mwanza, Tanzania’s lakeside city, which was launched two weeks ago. Flying several times a day between Kigali and Entebbe does the airline also hold 5th freedom rights to Juba / South Sudan, with other such routes presently being under discussion with the Ugandan and other regional regulators to offer a greater choice to travelers after the demise of Air Uganda at the hands of the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority.
RwandAir operates a fleet of presently 7 aircraft, all but two acquired brand new from the manufacturers. Two Boeing B737-800NG SkyInterior were joined by two young B737-700NG’s in addition of which RwandAir operates two Bombardier CRJ900NextGen’s and one Bombardier Q400NextGen. In 2015 will another such aircraft type join the fleet before in 2016 an additional B737-800NG SkyInterior will join her sisterships already in operation.
RwandAir serves such destinations like Dubai, Johannesburg, Brazzaville, Libreville, Douala, Lagos and Accra while flying regionally to Entebbe, Juba, Nairobi, Mombasa, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam besides domestic flights to Kamembe. For added details on schedules, fares, holiday packages and their frequent flyer programme click on www.rwandair.com
