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The Dash Q400 which used for the African tour is now (14 MAY 2012) at Kigali. It has operated a special flight between Kigali and Kamembe (Rwanda), for various test, because the Rwanda CAA is upgrading the airport.  On the second pix, we can see Girma Wake (below the turbopop) the new RwandAir’s CEO.

Since 2002, RwandAir leased several Bombardier Dash 8s. On the left, this one is used since 2010, and on the right this aircraft has been used from 2002 to 2004.  Note : the picture on the right was taken in 2001, one year before the collaspe of SA Alliance Express Rwanda (parent of the Alliance Air Group).

03/05/2012

Since yesterday, Bombardier started an African tour (see the map on this page) to showcase the potential of its Dash Q400NG . This tour will include static display and test flights with airline executives and medias.

Since the begining of the year, Bombardier has recorded two orders from African airlines. Ethiopian Airline has ordered 5 Q400NGs, some of them will be used by Asky, the Lome based airline. Ethiopian Airline uses 8 Q400NGs and plans to take delivery of a Q400 simulator.

RwandAir ordered in March 2012, two CRJ-900NGs with two in options. They will replace the CRJ-200LR. The airline will take delivery of the two birds in September 2012 and in October 2012.  In its 2020 Vision, RwandAir wants to upgrade its regional fleet, to cope with a dramatic growth of its passenger traffic on this market. On some routes (Kamembe, Entebbe or Bujumbura), the Dash 8 -100 is becoming too little to meet the demand.

However, like for the CRJ-900NG which was in competition with ERJ-190, RwandAir won’t give an immediate answer. The airline is also evaluating the potential of the ATR 72-600. So maybe a delegation from ATR will come to Rwanda, in the coming month…

Dakar Senegal 2 MAY

Accra Ghana    4 MAY

Maputo Mozambique 7 MAY

Gaborone Botswana  8 MAY

Dar Es Salaam Tanzania 10 MAY

Nairobi Kenya 11 MAY

Kigali Rwanda  14 MAY

African Q400 operators (May 2012) :