RwandAir will launch its first ever direct flights to Paris in June. This means passengers flying from Kigali to Paris will reach their destination in eight and a half hours.
From June 27, the thrice-weekly flights will link the two cities – a signal event in the life of the young, rapidly-growing airline.
RwandAir CEO, Yvonne Makolo, said: “The launch of our first-ever flights to Paris is an exciting development in RwandAir’s continuing expansion and a testament to the importance of French Rwandan relations.
“France is a major hub for RwandAir as we connect the continents of Africa and Europe thorough our home hub in Kigali with this new direct service to Paris, one of the world’s top tourist destinations. French travellers can look forward to a warm welcome.”
From a cargo perspective, Rwanda has horticultural and agricultural industries with strong connections and markets in France - the short flying time and direct route will be a boon to those suppliers.
Of the three weekly Johannesburg flights to Kigali, those connecting best with the flights to Paris are on Monday and Friday. The Johannesburg flight arrives in Kigali at 21h30, and the Paris flight departs at half past midnight. The return flight with the best connections departs CDG at 21h30 on Thursday and Saturday and arrives in Kigali at 06h00 the following day. The Johannesburg flight departs Kigali at 09h40.
Fares, ex-JNB economy class to Paris start from R8 800 return including taxes. Business-class fares ex-JNB to Paris start from R33 200 return, including taxes.