MUSCAT – The announcement coincided with the official visit of His Excellency Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, and was made in the presence of His Excellency Engineer Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology; His Excellency Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, Minister of State for Infrastructure Affairs of Rwanda; and His Excellency Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

The new Muscat–Kigali route is expected to support the growing relations between the Sultanate of Oman and Rwanda, one of East Africa’s prominent emerging tourism destinations, particularly in business tourism, including meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).

The flights will also offer travellers broader options and improved connectivity between the Middle East and Africa, while facilitating access to destinations across Oman Air’s extensive network in India, Asia, the Pacific and Europe.

His Excellency Engineer Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali stated that the launch of the direct route reflects the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to enhancing international connectivity to support trade, investment and economic cooperation. He noted that air transport plays a vital role in strengthening relations between countries and that the new route will further consolidate ties between Oman and Rwanda, while reinforcing the Sultanate’s position as a key regional aviation hub.

For his part, His Excellency Owehenganyi affirmed that Rwanda’s vision focuses on strengthening direct connectivity to enhance cooperation between nations and to reinforce Kigali’s position as an international hub for aviation, economic and social activities. He added that Oman Air’s flights between Kigali and Muscat will contribute to expanding cooperation with various countries.

Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Con Korfiatis said the airline continues to expand its destination network in markets with strong demand and long-term growth potential. He noted that the Kigali route will support closer cooperation between Oman and Rwanda, unlock growing tourism opportunities in both countries, and provide seamless connectivity between Africa and the global aviation network.

Ahmed Saeed Al Amri, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Airports, said the new route strengthens Muscat International Airport’s role as a major gateway connecting the Sultanate to key global markets. He added that, amid rising travel demand, Oman Airports remains committed to expanding destination networks, enhancing air connectivity, and delivering a high-quality airport experience that facilitates travel between Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

Oman Air is continuing to expand its destination network throughout 2025, with further additions planned for 2026 as part of its strategy to target strategically important markets. Recent launches and announcements include European destinations such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen, regional routes including Baghdad and Taif, and Far East services with flights to Singapore scheduled to begin in July 2026.

The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Rwanda have maintained diplomatic relations for more than 28 years, supported by established trade ties. Rwanda’s tourism and business travel sectors have experienced notable growth in recent years, driven by rising demand for ecotourism and unique travel experiences.

Oman Air’s flights to Kigali are scheduled to commence in June 2026, subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. Flight schedules and frequencies will be announced at a later date.