Kigali International Airport to get new taxiway

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According to eTurboNews, sharp increases in aircraft movements into and out of Kigali International Airport have prompted the Rwandan Civil Aviation Authority to build a separate taxiway.

The lack of a separate taxiway, which would allow aircraft to taxi for take-off or taxi to the apron off the main runway, has impacted more and more on the airport’s operations in recent months, especially as national carrier RwandAir now operates a fleet of eight aircraft,  and is due to increase this number by 50% in 2016.

The launch of long-haul operations to China, India and Europe has made the construction of a taxiway a matter of the highest priority. Recently, ground was broken as construction got underway, and the new taxiway is expected to be ready during Q2 of 2016.

Also part of the expansion of the present airport is a new apron section to provide additional parking spaces and a new air traffic control tower.

Meanwhile, preparations are advancing on the construction of a new international airport outside Kigali at Bugesera, which is expected to cost in the region of $650 million. Earlier in the year, the runway at Kamembe Airport in the south of Rwanda was expanded, following the national masterplan for enhanced aviation infrastructure for this landlocked country, which depends on air transport to bring in visitors.