COVID-19: How RwandAir is Making Travel Safe for You

In the light of the current global #COVID19 pandemic, it’s crucial for airlines to regain the confidence of the travelling public, especially with respect to the health and safety of passengers.

As the world begins to travel again, airlines from around the world have implemented strict health and safety measures to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. RwandAir is one of such airlines, but it has gone a step ahead of others.

From buying your tickets to obtaining valid COVID-19 test results, RwandAir has rolled out measures to ensure that passengers are safe at every stage of their journeys, both on the ground and onboard.

After five months of suspension, RwandAir resumed scheduled operations on 1 August, 2020. See how the airline is making travel safe and convenient for you during this COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Before you fly

Indeed, before you even leave your home, RwandAir already has you in mind. To make your journey quicker and more convenient, you can (and should) book your tickets and check-in online. This will not only make your pre-flight protocols faster, but will also minimize physical contact at both the ticketing office and at the airport.

For easy tracking of passengers, RwandAir has introduced Passenger Locator Form (PLF) which is available here: http://www.rbc.gov.rw/travel. This form should be filled online before arriving at the departure airport.

Before departing, transiting or arriving Rwanda, a Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before departure from a certified laboratory is required by Airport Authority.

If you’re departing from Rwanda, the airline has made it easier for you to find a COVID-19 testing facility. You can book for a COVID-19 test on www.rbc.gov.rw/booking, or by calling +250 788 633 948; +250 788 422 287. The test fee is payable by the passenger.

Passengers arriving in Rwanda are required to book a hotel for 24 hours from the list of designated hotels available here.

2. At the Airport

In addition to the mandatory wearing of face mask and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), RwandAir and the Kigali Airport have put additional measures in place to ensure your safety at the airport.

All passengers departing from Kigali International Airport undergo health screening. If you’re unable to check in online before your journey, you can use RwandAir’s self-check-in kiosks upon arrival at the airport to reduce human-to-human contact.

If for any reason you arrived the Kigali Airport without your face mask, that’s nothing to worry about. Face masks and other PPEs can be purchased at various points at Kigali Airport and at the duty-free shops.

While some airport don’t allow accompanying persons Only one other person is permitted to enter Kigali International Airport premises to drop a passenger to help prevent congestion in the departure zones.

There is a new signage at the Kigali airport which helps you observe physical distancing and glass barriers have been placed at all passenger handling desks to protect passengers and staff.

RwandAir and the Kigali International Airport have partnered to ensure that surfaces at all touchpoints are disinfected regularly to ensure optimal hygiene in all customer areas. Hand sanitizer dispensers are easily accessible throughout your journey at the airport.

To provide additional layer of health and safety, RwandAir’s barcode readers help speed up boarding and minimize contact with others.

During boarding, passengers are boarded in small groups starting from the back of the aircraft to the aircraft. Only one hand luggage is allowed to prevent congestion at the gates and on board the aircraft.

Should you need any assistance at any point at the airport, RwandAir customer service agents, wearing full personal protective equipment, are on hand to help.

3. Onboard the Aircraft

RwandAir’s aircraft are regularly deep cleaned and disinfected, and all surfaces, including tray tables, video screens, arm rests, safety belts and overhead luggage bins are sprayed and wiped with disinfectant before every flight. This is so ensure your safety onboard.

All RwandAir’s aircraft are fitted with high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filters that remove over 99% of germs. The cabin air system ensures fresh air flow from the ceiling to the floor to ensure the highest standards of hygiene in the cabin.

RwandAir’s crew have undergone new health and safety training and now wear disposable gowns, gloves and goggles, in addition to face masks, throughout the flight and will always be on hand to assist you.

In order to further minimize your chances of contracting COVID-19 onboard due to human-to-human contact, the airline has implemented a new system of in-flight service.

For flights lasting 2 hours or less, #RwandAir does not serve meals, but provides water, soft drinks and snacks. For mid and long-haul flights, the airline serves pre-packaged meals.

Blankets and earphones are all sanitized and sealed, while reading materials, except safety cards, are no longer available onboard. These will return as soon as it’s safe to.

4. Arrival

When your flight arrives at your destination, deplaning is made by zones starting with the front of the aircraft to the rear. This is to reduce human-to-human contact.

At Kigali International Airport, buses are marked with social distancing signage and throughout the arrival area at the airport you are continuously reminded to respect social distancing. At the entrance of the terminal building, a footbath has been installed to disinfect arriving passengers and airport staff.

If your final destination is Kigali, you will go through a health screening at the Kigali Airport and will be tested for COVID-19 at a designated hotel of your choice where you will also be accommodated as you await your test results. The test results are usually out within 24 hours. Transportation from the airport to the designated hotel is provided.

After touching down from each flight, RwandAir aircraft are disinfected once again during turnaround at the destination airport to maintain optimal hygiene levels.

With these measures put in place, passengers flying with RwandAir can be rest assured that their health and safety are of the highest priority as the airline looks forward to welcoming you back onboard.

To check the status of RwandAir’s destinations, schedule and medical requirements, please visit here . Before you travel, you should visit your destination airport’s website for more information.

If you have any questions about travelling with RwandAir, whether it’s COVID-19 related or not, please send the airline an email on reservations@rwandair.com or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.