Oman Air has announced plans to launch its first direct flight to sub-Saharan Africa, with a new route linking the Omani capital Muscat to Kigali, Rwanda, as Gulf airlines continue to expand their footprint across the African continent.
The national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman said the service is expected to begin in June 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. The route will mark a significant milestone for the airline, which until now has focused its African operations primarily on North Africa, including services to Cairo.
Oman Air said the new Kigali route is intended to strengthen economic, tourism and business links between the Gulf and East Africa. Officials in Muscat described the move as part of a broader strategy to position Oman as a gateway between Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Direct flights to Kigali are expected to boost trade and investment flows, as well as tourism and MICE travel – meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions – an increasingly important segment for Rwanda’s economy.
Rwanda has spent the past decade positioning itself as a regional hub for business events and international conferences, hosting high-profile summits and expanding its hospitality infrastructure. Improved air connectivity has been central to that strategy, with Kigali International Airport serving as a growing regional transit point.
For Oman Air, the new route also reflects intensifying competition among Gulf carriers in Africa, where demand for air travel has risen alongside population growth, urbanisation and expanding trade links. Airlines from the Gulf have steadily increased capacity to African destinations, capitalising on their geographic location and extensive long-haul networks.
Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have all expanded services to African cities in recent years, while also strengthening partnerships with local carriers. These moves have reshaped air travel across the continent, often putting pressure on African airlines but also improving connectivity.
Qatar Airways has pursued one of the most ambitious Africa strategies. The airline holds equity stakes in Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, and South Africa’s Airlink, and is a key financier of Rwanda’s new Bugesera International Airport. The airport, currently under construction about 25 kilometres southeast of Kigali, is expected to cost around $2 billion and is designed to significantly increase Rwanda’s passenger and cargo handling capacity.
Oman Air’s entry into the Kigali market places it in direct competition with these established Gulf carriers, as well as with RwandAir, which operates an expanding network across Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Industry analysts say competition could benefit passengers through increased choice and potentially lower fares, while also deepening Rwanda’s links with global markets.
The Omani carrier has undergone a period of restructuring in recent years, streamlining its network and fleet amid financial pressures. The Kigali route suggests a renewed focus on selective international expansion, particularly in markets viewed as offering long-term growth potential.
East Africa has emerged as one such market, driven by rising incomes, infrastructure investment and efforts by governments to promote tourism and trade. Rwanda, in particular, has attracted international attention for its relative political stability, pro-business policies and ambition to become a regional services hub.
Officials in Oman say the new service will also support bilateral relations with Rwanda and strengthen Oman’s engagement with Africa more broadly. The Gulf state has sought to deepen economic ties with African countries through trade, logistics and investment, leveraging its ports and transport infrastructure.
While details of flight frequency and aircraft type have not yet been disclosed, aviation sources say the route is likely to target both business and leisure travellers, as well as cargo demand between East Africa and the Gulf.
If approved as planned, the Muscat–Kigali service would become Oman Air’s first direct link to sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the strategic importance of the region in global aviation and highlighting the growing role of Gulf carriers in shaping Africa’s air connectivity.
