www.rwandan-flyer.com

25/10/2015

During the Aviation Festival,  which has took place at Dubai, RwandAir Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operations Officer Jean-Paul Nyirubutama, has bought more details, about the talk :

Alexander Cornwell, Staff Reporter

Earlier this year, it was reported RwandAir entered into talks with Etihad Airways for the airline to take a stake in the African carrier. Etihad passed on the opportunity, it was reported.
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“They’re (Etihad) not ready to expand further into Africa, so talks will be resumed whenever it is appropriate or suitable for the two companies,” Nyirubutama said.

The talks were mandated by the Rwandan and Abu Dhabi government, Nyirubutama added.

The Rwandan government hopes to sell-off at least part of the airline in the next two to four years that plans to focus on Sub Saharan Africa in the near term.

http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/rwandair-to-fly-through-dubai-to-india-china-1.1606876

11/08/2015

Since some days, several websites (including us) announced a possible partnership between RwandAir and Etihad Airways.

This information was based on a recent interview of the RwandAir’s CEO, John Mirenge. Etihad which was quiet, reacted today.

The Etihad Airways spokesperson told to eTN, that Etihad Airways had not expressed an interest in investing in RwandAir and is not in talks to do so.

According to an article, published today by eTN, “Etihad Airways confirms that it has declined any offer of a potential investment in RwandAir, the national airline of Rwanda.”

Etihad Airways is however constantly fostering and developing commercial relationships with airlines around the world, including RwandAir, in order to offer its guests a wider choice of travel options.”

Is Etihad has really refused a partnership ? Or Etihad is not happy with the leaking news, in the press during, the negotiations. Wait and See…

Etihad Airways interested to buy RwandAir stake

08/08/2015

Ethiopian Airlines is now competing with Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi to partner with the national flag carrier of Rwanda, RwandAir.

The Emiratis airline based at Abu Dhabi, recently submitted expression of interest to the Rwandese government to buy stake on RwandAir. The prospective partner will own 49 percent stake on the East African airline and will jointly manage the airline and caters technical services.

This information was confirmed by John Mirenge, to The Reporter Newspaper :

“Ethiopian Airlines is definitely one of the few airlines that we are talking to. We are also talking to Etihad Airways. We are talking to quite a few airlines. We are looking for the right airline that would fit in,” Mirange said. He said that the management board of RwandAir and the Ministry of Transport are evaluating the proposals submitted by the international airlines. “We are holding discussions and exchanging data with the international airlines that have shown interest in partnering with us” Mirange said.

The Reported adds that “Reliable sources told The Reporter that Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways are the finalists. Sources said the Rwandese authorities are in the final stage of the evaluation process, adding that the winner will be either Ethiopian or Etihad”. If everything goes well, the winner will be know, by the end of the year.

Etihad Airways started flights in 2003, the airline has a fleet of 118 aircraft, serving over 120 destinations. In 2015, the airline established its own airline alliance, dubbed Etihad Airways Partners in 2015, which includes Alitalia, Jet Airways, airberlin, Niki, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Etihad Regional. Etihad has also some partnership with Aer Lingus and Virgin Australia.

Etihad Airways has already a strong precense in Africa, thanks to various partnership with, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Air Seychelles and South African Airways.

If the Governement of Rwanda selects Etihad Airways, it will lead to the opening of a route between Kigali and Abu Dhabi, enabling to passengers flying either RwandAir or Etihad to use Kigali and Abu Dhabi hubs. Furthermore, Etihad is a multi-award airline, its experience will certainly help RwandAir, to improve its brand and its product.

In 2014, The management of RwandAir announced that it was looking for a strategic partner. The board of directors of RwandAir and the Rwandese Transport Ministry has offered to sell a 49 percent stake on RwandAir.