On Saturday April 23rd 2022, the government of Rwanda and that of New Zealand signed Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to create a basis in which the Airlines from both countries can operate on air transport services. The agreement is aimed at enabling the two countries to be connected by direct flights.
The Agreement was signed by Madam Patrice Uwase the Rwandan minister of state in charge of Infrastructure (MININFRA) and Michael Ian Upton the New Zealand Ambassador to Rwanda.
The signed agreement provides for all air traffic required under a liberalized framework for the conduct of International Air transport services by the airlines of the two countries as part of the strengthening of commercial ties. Rwandair, the Rwandan National carrier, and Air New Zealand, the New Zealand public flagship, can now claim the opening of air routes between the two countries. Better, they can consider commercial partnerships via code sharing agreements or interline agreements.
Reacting to signing of this Bilateral Air Services Agreement, the New Zealand Ambassador thanked the government of Rwanda for allowing this outcome, after multiple negotiations undertaken between the two parties regarding the signing of the agreement. Mr. Upton further commends the two countries for the newly established connection, in addition to other already existing ties between the two countries.
