Oman Air Cargo has announced the strategic launch of a new air freight corridor between Muscat and Kigali, a move set to reshape the logistics landscape for East African agricultural exports.
Scheduled to commence in June this year, pending final regulatory clearances, the route will utilise the belly-hold capacity of scheduled Boeing 737 passenger aircraft, creating a high-frequency link between the burgeoning Rwandan logistics hub and the Gulf’s established trade gateways.
The announcement comes at a time of significant momentum for Rwanda’s horticulture sector, which has seen export revenues quadruple over the last five years to exceed $86 million.
By leveraging Muscat as a central transit point, East African exporters of fresh produce including avocados, chillies, and cut flowers will gain streamlined access not only to Middle Eastern consumers but also to premium markets across Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
“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. Duggan further emphasized that the expansion is a cornerstone of the airline’s broader strategy to cement Muscat’s reputation as a “dependable cargo hub” capable of handling the precise temperature and timing requirements of the global cold chain.
For Kigali, the new service reinforces its positioning as a regional multi-modal centre. The Rwandan government has invested heavily in packhouse infrastructure and cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the competitiveness of its growers.
This new direct link provides a critical alternative to traditional, often congested, European-centric routes, offering producers more predictable transit times and diversified market entry points during a period of ongoing global supply chain volatility.
While the primary focus remains on the “fruit and vegetable express,” the route is also expected to facilitate the movement of high-value pharmaceuticals and express shipments.
As Middle Eastern carriers increasingly pivot toward African supply chains, the Muscat–Kigali connection represents a tangible step toward deeper South-South economic integration, providing smaller producers and cross-border traders with the logistical “lift” needed to scale their operations internationally.
