Kigali International Airport Rwanda, a Gateway to Bwindi in Uganda
If you have ever visited Rwanda then you are probably familiar with Kigali International Airport, the hub, and gateway into Rwanda. Also referred to as Kanombe International Airport, it was previously known as “Gregoire Kayibanda” International Airport and currently serves as the main airport serving the Capital City as well as other destinations in the country.
It is situated within the outskirts of Kanombe, at the eastern edge of Kigali City about 5 kilometers (3 miles) by road and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) east of the Central Business District of the City. The airport has always been among the crème de la crème in the region but recent refurbishments and modernizations done on the airport have made it one of Africa’s most wonderful airports, mainly due to the fire and safety standards it follows (through the fire department (category nine) as well as its compliance with ICAO standards.
Kigali International Airport is one of the few African Airports that will take your breath away and was surprisingly ranked the second-best in the Continent in 2017 and so far the best in the East African region by Sleeping Airports, a well thought Canadian Travel and Hospitality firm. With their website www.sleepinginairports.net, Sleeping Airports was established in 1996 and has stood out and been internationally recognized as a wonderful travelers’ online guide giving passengers a platform for sharing their airport experiences around the World.
In addition to being Rwanda’s hub and gateway to most of the country’s destinations, it also serves as a transit airport for most places in the Democratic Republic of Congo especially Bukavu and Goma as well as Burundi and Uganda. At an elevation of 1491 meters (4891 feet) above sea level, the Airport terminal is one of the highest International Airports in the World. Not only that, it has over 3500 meters of runway that allows different types of aircraft to land and also increase passenger traffic. According to 2016 Statistics, Kigali Airport served over 710,000 passengers from 600,000 in 2013, 488,903 passengers in 2012, 377,327 passengers in 2011, 270,000 in 2008 and 135,189 passengers in 2004.
Additionally, Kigali Airport currently has three terminals and two heliports with the main terminal (two-story building) constructed to replace the smaller building (single-story building) that now houses the VIP Terminal while the third terminal is the one for Cargo that enjoys greater activity because of the isolation of Rwanda. The Main Terminal is capable of handling up to 6 small to medium-sized aircraft, even up to a Boeing 747 jet. Also, the southern end of the runway has two helicopter pads that allow passengers to easily access the main runway.
The National carrier (Rwandair) now has its Head offices on the top floor of the Airport’s main building from where it used to be (Centenary house in Kigali). Also, Akagera Aviation, as well as the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, has offices within the Airport. Passengers that go through Kigali International Airport are entitled to a number of services including free Wi-Fi within the Airport waiting area, luggage wrapping, ATMs/Cash machines (with applicable fees), and a Café (for food and drinks) as well a mobile charging ports. There are also airport lounges (in pay-per-use, single visit passed, and lounge membership) but also passengers who don’t intend to sleep at the airport can book hotels near the airport (with the best ones being Chez Lando, La Palisse, Civitas Hotel, and Havugimana Israel Guesthouse among others).
In addition to Rwandair, there are three other airlines based at Kigali Airport and these include Nexus Aero (a Saudi VIP Airline), Akagera Aviation (a Rwandan heli-company), and Tempus Jet (an American airline offering charter flights). More so, other International Airlines serve flights to Kigali and they include Qatar Airways, Air Canada, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways among others.
While many countries are still sleeping or complaining of inadequate funds, Rwanda and its Government never sleep and continue prioritizing the aviation industry. Even when the current Airport is still ranked among the best in Africa, bigger plans are underway. The good news is that a bigger and better airport with a runway of 4206 meters is currently constructed on the south-eastern side of the country in Bugesera district near Rilima Town (about 25 kilometers/16 miles) by air as well as 40 kilometers/25 miles by road south of Kigali International Airport and is going to be the country’s largest Hub serving several commercial flights to and from the greater Kigali Metropolitan Area. Because there is no room for an additional runway and other facilities, a new airport location is required for future growth. Once complete, it will become the country’s third International Airport and 8th airport overall to complement Kigali Airport which is now operating at maximum capacity. Bugesera International Airport will have one paved runway but also allow more space for a second one to be added later (if need be).
How to get from Kigali International Airport
Taxis
Taxis and Moto-taxis are one of the commonest means of traveling from Kigali Airport and are readily available for hire within the ground transportation area of the Airport.
Mini-buses
Are you a backpacker interesting in traveling like the locals? Also, if you have a light load, you can opt for the Matatu (the shared-ride mini-buses) that are found at just a stone’s throw away from the Airport terminal.