The Government of Rwanda and the People’s Republic of China strengthened aviation cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on airworthiness certification between the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) and China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC).
The agreement is intended to strengthen technical cooperation between the two aviation authorities, improve their regulatory capacity and facilitate the acceptance and oversight of aeronautical products and approvals issued by both regulators.
It also provides a framework for closer collaboration on aviation safety standards and certification procedures, allowing the two authorities to strengthen their technical and regulatory cooperation.
Airworthiness certification is a process used to determine whether an aircraft meets the required technical and safety standards for operation.
In Rwanda, the Civil Aviation Authority requires aircraft to comply with applicable airworthiness regulations before certification. Aircraft are also subject to periodic inspections to ensure they continue meeting the required standards.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure Col. Claudien Bizimungu, who witnessed the signing ceremony, reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening aviation cooperation with China.
“The Government of Rwanda fully supports this partnership. We are committed to advancing our collaboration,” Bizimungu said.
He also emphasised the importance of the agreement in strengthening relations between the two countries and supporting aviation safety.
“Today, we are not only signing a document, we are strengthening a friendship between our two countries, and investing in safer skies for everyone who flies with us,” he added.
The agreement is expected to support closer coordination between the two aviation regulators in handling certification matters and overseeing aeronautical products.
However, the Ministry of Infrastructure did not specify when the agreement would be implemented or which categories of aeronautical products and approvals would be covered.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10