Rwanda seeks funding to build new international airport

Rwanda is looking for 500 million U.S. dollars to construct a new international airfield in Bugesera district, Eastern Rwanda. The new Bugesera International Airport is set to reduce air traffic jams in the country as Rwanda aviation industry continues to grow on a fast rate. The government estimates that when completed, the new airport will handle 450 passengers per hour to serve a projected figure of 3 million passengers annually. The international airport will be constructed on a 25.6 square kilometres of land, at least for the first phase, while subsequent phases will follow with higher passenger and cargo capacities. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Alexis Nzahabwanimana, Rwanda minister of state in charge of transport said that the government currently focused on looking for funds to build Bugesera International Airport at a tune of 500 million U.S. dollars. "We are looking forward to speed up the process so that the construction of the airport is completed on time. Our country's aviation sector is growing rapidly and due to investment and tourism events in the country, soon Kigali international airport will be congested with global airlines," he said. "We are committed to support both the airline and the entire civil aviation business so that they can contribute to our country's development." Traffic at Kigali International Airport grew last year by 30 percent, and further double-digit increases are projected for the coming years, as RwandAir will added two more aircraft, bringing the fleet to eight. The small Central African nation has already upgraded its two airports, Kigali International Airport and Kamembe airport, while a feasibility study for modernizing Rubavu airport has been finalized. Aerial transport in the country has exponentially grown with the national carrier, RwandAir, now operating nine aircraft, including three planes on lease while it owns the rest. A new international airport will greatly enhance the country's ambitions to become a regional aviation hub. Currently, the airline operates 18 destinations in western, eastern and southern Africa and the Middle East. It expects to expand its operations to destinations in Europe and Asia by 2016. RwandAir was recently ranked among the safest airlines across the globe after passing its International Air Transport Association (IATA) operational safety audit. The airline is now awaiting IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations certification, a process that is expected to be completed by June 2016.