RwandAir has today taken delivery of its first dedicated cargo aircraft as the carrier expands its fleet.

The Boeing 737-800 SF, which is painted in RwandAir’s first cargo livery, will be based at the carrier’s Kigali hub.

The new jet will allow the Rwandan carrier to further expand its cargo operation, which has been on the rise.

RwandAir will operate the new freighter to a number of key destinations in Africa and the Middle East, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, and UAE.

Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir said: “The delivery of our dedicated cargo aircraft is a huge milestone in RwandAir’s fleet expansion plans.

“Cargo is of ever-increasing importance for the aviation industry, and as a landlocked country, we recognize the importance and value of good cargo connections.

“We want to ensure that Africa is seamlessly connected to the world, driving economic growth and valuable trade deals.”

RwandAir currently operates to a variety of destinations across East, Central, West, and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.