Oman Air Cargo, the Omani carrier, has announced the upcoming launch of a cargo service between Muscat and Kigali, marking both its entry into the Rwandan market and a new milestone in strengthening logistics flows between East Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Scheduled to commence in June 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, the new service will be operated using scheduled Boeing 737 passenger flights. It will provide bellyhold capacity dedicated to perishable goods and time-sensitive shipments, a fast-growing segment in trade between Africa and the Gulf region.
Kigali, a New Anchor Point in East Africa
With Kigali, Oman Air Cargo is targeting a rapidly emerging regional hub, supported by the upgrading of export-oriented agriculture and Rwanda’s ambition to position itself as a continental logistics platform. Fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers, as well as pharmaceuticals, general cargo and express shipments, are expected to be among the main flows on this new route.
For East African exporters, the stakes are high: gaining access to regular capacity, less dependent on ad hoc charter operations, and benefiting from improved schedule reliability. “We are seeing sustained growth in demand between the Middle East and Africa, particularly for perishables and specialist cargo, and this new route allows us to respond with additional capacity and reach” said Michael Duggan, Head of Cargo at Oman Air.
Muscat as a Consolidation Hub for African Exports
Beyond the Kigali–Muscat route itself, the hub strategy lies at the heart of the carrier’s expansion. Cargo originating from Rwanda and, more broadly, East Africa will be redistributed via Muscat to Europe, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, leveraging Oman Air Cargo’s international network.
The Omani hub is supported by a mixed fleet including Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, as well as cargo infrastructure certified for handling fresh produce and pharmaceutical shipments. The warehouses notably feature temperature-controlled areas, a key asset for securing African cold chains, which remain fragile on certain corridors.
A Strong Signal for Africa–Middle East Connectivity
This new route reflects a broader trend: the rise of South–South trade and the growing role of Gulf hubs as transit points for African value-added exports. By positioning itself in Kigali, Oman Air Cargo is strengthening East Africa’s air connectivity while consolidating Muscat’s role as a reliable consolidation and redistribution platform for African air freight destined for major international markets.
For Rwanda, as well as for its regional neighbours, the arrival of a new structured cargo operator represents an additional lever to support agricultural, pharmaceutical and express exports, at a time when logistics performance is becoming a key factor of competitiveness.
By Logis-T Africa
