Ethiopian Airlines eyes RwandAir as strategic partner
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia –Â The management of Ethiopian Airlines has shown an interest in becoming a strategic partner of RwandAir, the national flag carrier of Rwanda.
RwandAir is a small but fast growing airline in Africa. The government of Rwanda is currently looking for a strategic partner that can help it in taking the national flag carrier forward. The Government of Rwanda has hired an international consulting firm, Ernst & Young, and is studying a turnaround strategy. Currently, the airline is not making profit.
Reliable sources at Ethiopian told The Reporter that the management of Ethiopian has shown a keen interest in buying a stake in RwandAir. Sources said a delegation comprising senior officials of Ethiopian recently visited the headquarters of RwandAir and held discussion with officials of RwandAir and government officials. Senior executives of Ethiopian have expressed their interest in becoming a strategic partner of RwandAir.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, confirmed his management’s interest in RwandAir but declined to give further details as the discussion is at an early stage.
RwandAir was established in its present form in 2009. It existed before as RwandAir Express which was semi government-owned. With only one wet leased twin otter aircraft RwandAir Express was a small airline.
Read more at: The Reporter
