Rwanda aviation updates – Pearl Lounge now offers ‘specials’ for weary travelers

PEARL LOUNGE AT KANOMBE INTERNATIONAL NOW OFFERS SPECIALS
While waiting for my flight at Kanombe International Airport in Kigali, the flight being an inaugural event marking the start of scheduled services between Rwanda and Nigeria, it was learned that the Pearl Lounge had launched a special valid on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, when the normal fee of RWF 15.000 or USD 25 is reduced to only USD 15. According to the lounge manageress, Miss Fabiola Dusabe the offer has taken the market by storm and added numbers on days the European carriers Brussels Airlines and KLM are not operating into Kigali.
While speaking with her during my latest visit Ms. Dusabe also mentioned plans to add new features, like a coffee corner where Rwandan coffee is used to brew fresh espressos and cappuccinos and to enhance the food service, which already is extensive depending on the time of day one frequents the lounge.
Wireless internet is available for guests, with a fall back to the open source network of the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, and in addition the hotspot by MTN, which however is a chargeable service.
One thing is for certain, once used to spending time ahead of flights in a proper lounge, with drinks and food and other services, one really never again wants to be anywhere else BUT in a lounge, and not suffer the crowded concours and public spaces which in many East African airports are increasingly overcrowded and worn even if it comes at the reasonable cost of either 15 or 25 US Dollars. It is money well spent and frequent travelers do obviously head straight for the Pearl Lounge when flying out of Kigali. Watch this space for regular updates from East Africas aviation scene and the latest developments, on the ground and in the air.

Uganda news – Two Danish tourists drown in Lake Bunyonyi

DANISH TOURISTS GO MISSING IN LAKE BUNYONYI
One of Ugandas most scenic lakes, Lake Bunyonyi near Kabale, has apparently claimed the lives of two Danish tourists, who were last seen swimming off the shores before they disappeared.
The lake is known to claim victims regularly but it is extremely rare that foreign tourists are involved in swimming accidents. The pair of travelers were staying at a local resort, for which Lake Bunyonyi is also famous, many located on the islands which dot the lake, and by night fall Thursday the search was called off until daylight today, Friday.
According to a source in Kabale the police has resumed search operations already this morning and are confident that the bodies will be recovered. The camp operators meanwhile were reportedly busy attempting to use available information on the two guests to establish family contacts back home in Denmark to break the sad news. Condolences are expressed by the eTN East Africa team to friends and family.

Rwanda aviation breaking news – Kigali is now connected with Lagos as inaugural flight takes to the skies

RWANDAIR MAKES IT 13 AND NOT ONE BIT SUPERSTITIOUS

This morning will see the launch of RwandAirs 13th destination, and I can see already those with superstitious tendencies to advocate for 12A or 14 instead, but 13 it is and a lucky number by the look of it. The new connection will operate initially three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, leaving Kigali at 08.30 hrs local time and returning the same day, landing in Kigali again at 18.40 hrs, after reaching Lagos at 11.40 hrs local time.
Said John Mirenge, CEO of RwandAir, on the occasion of the inaugural flight: At the beginning of the year we made a commitment to expand our network with a focus on Central and West Africa. Lagos for us is an exciting addition to our network and we know the destination will have very positive contributions to the already existing network. We are pleased to make this our first West African destination. From the time we declared our intentions to fly to Lagos, the Nigerian government and aviation authorities have been very swift and quick in welcoming us.
RwandAir already flies three times a week from Kigali via Brazzaville to Libreville and the new route to Lagos is an almost logical expansion of the network into West Africa, considering the extensive business and trade ties already in existence, which are now undoubtedly being greatly enhanced by the nonstop flights between the two countries.
In a related development was it also announced that RwandAir, with now 7 aircraft on the fleet, is now operating three additional nonstop flights between Kigali and Dubai, besides the exiting three flights via Mombasa, which will be retained as the trade and tourism links to the Kenyan coast are equally considered to be of crucial importance for landlocked Rwanda, and with traffic rights between Mombasa and Dubai loadfactors benefit greatly from this particular stopover.
Plans are also afoot to further fine-tune the current schedule with the aim of connecting the East African destinations of Entebbe, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, but also the domestic flights from Kamembe and Gisenyi to the continental destinations, so watch this space for further announcements on additional frequencies and timing changes in coming weeks.