As part of previously reported plans to enhance its presence in Africa through the opening of an additional 10 stations, Turkish Airlines Cargo (TK), says it will begin once weekly dedicated cargo flights to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, effective 13 May.
The Turkish carrier says the move was necessary owing to private sectors who had been crying out for added players to join the cargo flight sector, as added competition would help to drive down haulage rates.
“The feedback we got when we told people that we are starting our cargo service was impressive. There is no scheduled cargo flight from Rwanda yet, but in May we shall start our maiden flight,” said Burcin Isler, Rwanda country manager for Turkish Airlines.
Source [New Times]
Turkish Airlines, who started flying to Rwanda in May 2012, currently serves Kigali with an onward sector to Entebbe, Uganda five times weekly.
According to Rwandan Flyer blog, Turkish Airlines Cargo will be the fifth cargo airlines to serve Kigali after Astral Aviation (Nairobi), Ethiopian Airlines (Brazzaville, Addis Ababa and occasionally Lagos) and Martinair Cargo for Air-France KLM (Amsterdam and Nairobi). Regional partners, Kenya Airways are expected to commence cargo flights to the sub-region using their newly converted B737-300(F).