The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is reiterating that strong air connectivity remains a key driver of economic growth and national prosperity.
The clearing house for more than 300 global airlines however, lamented that the cost of flying impacts the magnitude of the benefits that can be generated by air travel, adding that in the past 50 years, flight costs have decreased by 70% globally, making air transport more accessible, with the local population now needing to work 124 days to afford a plane ticket.
Overall, 34 flights per 1,000 population were taken in 2023.
In a paper, “Value of Air Transport to Rwanda”, by the Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Kamil Al Awahdi, at the ongoing Africa Aviation 2025 taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, he said air connectivity enables industries across all regions within the country to engage in dynamic business activity.
The extent of domestic and international connectivity, he stated, is an enabler and an accelerator of both the generation and distribution of economic benefits.
Upon a deep reflection on how Rwanda has utilised air transport as a catalyst for its economic growth, IATA noted that in Rwanda, 2,900 people are directly employed in aviation, generating $8.9 million in economic output, equivalent to 0.1% of the country’s total GDP.
Additional benefits are generated by the wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities, contributing a total of $160.1 million to GDP and 42,000 jobs.
Tourism supported by aviation contributes $124.9 million to the country’s GDP and employs 29,000 people, while international tourists to Rwanda are estimated to contribute $688.0 million annually to the economy through the purchase of goods and services from local businesses.
Since 2014, Rwanda’s international air connectivity index has increased by 23% within the Africa region and by 326% with all other regions.
Understanding the nature of that connectivity is also important. For Rwanda, 66% of passengers either finished their journey at the point of entry to the country or continued travelling using a different mode of transport.
Thirty-four per cent of all passengers arriving in Rwanda from abroad continued their journey to a destination in another country.
This is coming as Lagos ranks sixth as top ten most popular city destinations from Rwanda with 14,500 passengers.
Nairobi, Kenya came first with 56, 600 passengers; Entebbe, Uganda (Second) with 28, 000 passengers; Brussels, Belgium (Third) with 25, 100 passengers; Johannesburg, South Africa (Fourth) with 19, 200 passengers; Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Fifth) with 17,000 passengers; Lagos, Nigeria (Sixth) with 17, 000 passengers; Paris, France (Seventh) with 14, 500 passengers; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Eight) with 13,600 passengers; Bujumbura, Burundi (Ninth) with 11,300 passengers and London, United Kingdom (Tenth) with 10,800 passengers.
“Rwanda has made aviation central to economic and social development, with the sector contributing $160 million to GDP and supporting 42,000 jobs. By integrating aviation into its tourism strategy, investing in modern infrastructure, and meeting global standards for safety, Rwanda has built a competitive and resilient industry that is driving growth and connectivity.
“The country’s early adoption and investment in modern interactive passenger data systems (API-PNR) sets a best-practice example for others to follow. With continued focus on cost-efficient infrastructure, training and capacity building, and championing regional connectivity and sustainability, aviation is well-supported to contribute even more to Rwanda’s growth,” said Alawadhi.”
As Rwanda expands its aviation infrastructure, including the development of Bugesera International Airport through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the IATA chief urged the government to prioritise cost-efficiency and maintain close collaboration with airlines and users.
“Equally important is ensuring that the PPP project focuses on long-term socio-economic benefits rather than short-term financial returns”, he added.
He lauded Rwanda’s visa-on-arrival and e-visa systems, which he said have made it one of Africa’s most accessible destinations, directly supporting aviation by stimulating travel and connectivity.
Its early commitment to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), participation in ICAO’s ACT-SAF programme to explore sustainable aviation fuels, and voluntary participation in ICAO’s CORSIA scheme, he admitted, demonstrate strong alignment with global standards through leadership on connectivity and sustainability.
