Kigali International Airport

Kigali International Airport: The primary airport in Rwanda that serves all major planes entering and leaving the nation is Kigali International Airport. The airport is the only one serving Kigali, and its IATA number is KGL. It was once known as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport and also goes by the name Kanombe International Airport.

Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, is home to Kigali International Airport. It serves as the entryway to all of the nation’s tourism attractions. In the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, it serves as a transit airport for Bukavu and Goma.

Kigali International Airport is five kilometers by road east of Kigali’s central business district, in the suburb of Kanombe, which is situated on the city’s eastern fringe.

Rwanda is a landlocked nation, and Kigali Airport was a key location during the civil war. There are two runways at this airport, but one of them is temporarily closed due to a request from RPF. This was the reason behind the start of the Rwandan Genocide and the resurgence of civil conflict.

Over 136,901 passengers were served by the airport in 2004, and over 280,000 in 2008. However, the Rwanda CAA declared in 2011 that Kigali Airport satisfies the high demand.

Kigali Airport currently has three terminals. The single-story structure, which is now a VIP station, was replaced by the two terminals. More than six light planes including a Boeing 747 may be accommodated at the main terminal. Both of the helicopter pads on one of the runways are capable of passing via the main runway; military helicopters are the primary users of these pads.

The tarmac was upgraded, the airport has free WiFi in the waiting area, and the cargo terminal is located there.

Out of all the regional airports in East Africa, Kigali Airport is ranked seventh. This came after the fire department’s ability to respond to emergencies.

Rwanda Air operates out of Kigali Airport, with its headquarters situated atop the airport’s main structure. The airline once operated out of Kigali’s Centennial House. The airport currently houses the offices of Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and Akagera Aviation.

The new airport, which is situated at Bugesera on the banks of the Nyabarongo River in the southern section of Kigali, will replace Kigali Airport. This new airport is necessary for its existence and does not permit runway upgrades. This is in the clause stating that the airport’s development was scheduled for 2015. The agreement was made between Mota-Engil Engenharia e Constructcao Africa in South Africa and the Rwandan government.

All travelers who are traveling to Rwanda to see places like the Volcanoes National Park, which is home to mountain gorillas, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and many more enter through Kigali Airport.