SalamAir, the airline of the Sultanate of Oman, has officially launched flights connecting the Omani capital, Muscat, with the city of Kigali, in a move seen as a major step in implementing the recent air transport cooperation agreement between Rwanda and Oman.
The launch ceremony was held at Muscat International Airport on Monday, attended by various officials including Rwanda’s Ambassador to Oman, CG Dan Munyuza, and representatives of the aviation and business sectors. Also present were the Honorary Consul of Rwanda to Oman, Hamood Bin Khalfan Al Busaidi, SalamAir CEO Adrian Hamilton-Manns, and the Acting CEO of Oman Airports Authority, Nasser Ahmed Al Sharji. Kigali becomes SalamAir’s second destination in Africa.
The first SalamAir flight is expected to arrive at Kigali International Airport on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, officially launching this new service, which will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In his remarks, Ambassador Dan Munyuza said the flight would not merely be a means of transporting people, but would help further strengthen relations between the citizens of both countries, trade, investment, and the growing cooperation between the Republic of Rwanda and the Sultanate of Oman.
The Ambassador said: “Not only a transport link, but a channel for people-to-people relations, trade and investment,” adding that it will further strengthen the friendship and growing bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Rwanda and the Sultanate of Oman.
The launch of these flights follows an agreement between Rwanda and Oman to expand cooperation in air transport, aimed at easing the movement of passengers and goods, promoting tourism, and opening new investment opportunities between the two countries.
SalamAir first announced this new route in April 2026, saying Kigali is one of the markets it has strong confidence in within Africa, and that it will help better connect Oman with East Africa. In preparation for the launch, the airline has already opened offices in Kigali and appointed a local partner to handle its operations in Rwanda.
Analysts say this route will help Rwanda gain greater access to markets in the Middle East and Asia via Muscat, while Oman stands to benefit from expanding trade, tourism, and investment in Africa, particularly as Rwanda continues to establish itself as a regional hub for air travel and commerce.
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