RwandAir has been recognised as Africa’s leading airline for passenger service in 2026, adding another international accolade to the Rwandan national carrier’s growing list of achievements.
The airline received the Best Airline Staff Service in Africa award at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony held in London on September 18, placing it ahead of EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines in the category.
The award recognises the quality of service provided by airline employees, both on board aircraft and at airports, according to Skytrax.
RwandAir also ranked fifth among Africa’s top 10 airlines in the 2026 Skytrax rankings. It was placed behind Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, Air Mauritius and Royal Air Maroc.
The ranking represents an improvement in RwandAir’s global standing. The airline moved to 62nd place among the world’s top 100 airlines, up from 65th position in 2025.
RwandAir Chief Executive Officer Yvonne Manzi Makolo attributed the service award to the airline’s employees, highlighting their commitment, professionalism and approach to passenger care.
The recognition comes as RwandAir continues to expand its regional and international operations from its hub at Kigali International Airport.
The airline operates routes across Africa, Europe and the Middle East and has expanded its connectivity through codeshare and interline partnerships, allowing passengers to connect to additional destinations through partner airlines.
Its fleet includes Airbus A330s, Boeing 737-800NGs and Bombardier Q400s, as well as a dedicated cargo aircraft.
The 2026 Skytrax African airline rankings placed South African Airways sixth, Kenya Airways seventh, FlySafair eighth, Fastjet ninth and LIFT tenth.
Globally, Singapore Airlines topped the 2026 rankings, followed by Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways.
For RwandAir, the latest recognition highlights the airline’s growing position in African aviation, particularly in passenger service, as it continues to strengthen Rwanda’s air connectivity with regional and international markets.