RwandAir on Monday, December 1, launched its first-ever flights to Zanzibar and resumed services to Mombasa, Kenya.

The new service will connect Kigali with two of East Africa’s most sought-after coastal getaways, offering travellers access to stunning beaches, vibrant marine life, and world-class leisure experiences.

Flights will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using a Boeing B737.

According to a statement from the national carrier, the two routes are in line with the airline's plans to scale operations in East Africa.

“Today, we proudly launch our first-ever flight to Zanzibar and resume our service to Mombasa, unlocking two iconic coastal escapes in one historic moment,” read a statement posted on RwandAir's X page.

The national carrier’s CEO Yvonne Makolo recently said that the development is in line with “strengthening Kigali’s position as a key hub, giving our customers more opportunities to explore the region, while also opening doors for trade, tourism and stronger ties across East Africa."

RwandAir currently operates a fleet of 16 aircraft and plans to grow to 21 by 2029. According to Rwanda’s Transport Sector Strategic Plan 2024-2029, RwandAir’s destinations are projected to increase from 23 in 2023/24 to 29 in 2028/29.

Under the same strategic plan, the number of passengers is expected to more than double from slightly over 1 million in 2023/24 to 2.1 million by 2028/29.