The governments of Benin and Rwanda have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a joint venture airline owned by the two countries and based in Cotonou, Benin.
Plan are for it to commence its initial operations providing air transportation for passengers and goods between and to Abidjan, Brazzaville, Douala, Libreville, Bamako, Dakar and Conakry.
Minister of transport and infrastructure of Benin, Herve Hehomey says it will enable the country’s aviation industry to make Cotonou a hub for the sub-region and the second “dream will become reality” with the establishment of the national carrier of Benin.
Meanwhile, RwandAir the national carrier of the Republic of Rwanda has also been granted the seventh freedom rights by the Government of Benin.
The seventh freedom rights allow an airline to base its operations outside its home base and operate between its seventh freedom base and a third country without returning to its country.
RwandAir plans to position two Boeing 737s aircraft to Cotonou and begin operations in the near future from its new second hub.
RwandAir will continue its operations from Kigali to Cotonou and provide seamless access to East and Southern Africa, the Middle East and Asia to the joint airline.
RwandAir deputy chief executive officer in charge of corporate affairs, Yvonne Manzi Makolo says: “The launch of this hub, will take air travel on our continent to the next level as RwandAir will be able to reach more countries in West and Central Africa with improved connections and more frequencies.”
