The Republic of Rwanda has achieved an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating, according to a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announcement. <\/p>\n
The Category 1 rating recognizes Rwanda\u2019s civil aviation authority as compliant with ICAO standards and allows Rwandan air carriers to operate services to the United States, according to a statement<\/a> released by the FAA. <\/p>\n \u201cUnder a Category 1 rating, properly authorized Rwandan air carriers are permitted to serve the United States and enter into code-share agreements with U.S. carriers without limitation,\u201d the FAA noted. <\/p>\n The FAA explained that its IASA program \u201cfocuses on a country\u2019s ability to adhere to international aviation safety standards and recommended practices.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cThe standards are set by ICAO, the United Nations\u2019 technical agency for aviation,\u201d the FAA continued. <\/p>\n The FAA announcement is favorable for Rwanda-based airlines, such as RwandAir, should the Rwandan national carrier seek to expand its international network or add codeshare partnerships with US airlines. RwandAir currently serves the US market through a codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways. <\/p>\n According to a statement<\/a> issued by the airline on December 2, 2021, RwandAir According to a statement<\/a>, RwandAir commenced direct flights to Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar on December 2, 2021, facilitated by the codeshare deal<\/a> signed with Qatar Airways on October 5, 2021. <\/p>\n The codeshare deal enabled customers to fly to different cities like New York, Washington D.C., Dallas and Los Angeles, London, Zurich and Madrid, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. <\/p>\n This also follows Qatar Airways\u2019 announcement that it had a 49% stake in RwandAir<\/a>. <\/p>\n However, the Kigali based airline may take a similar approach to its service of the US market following the launch of its direct non-stop between London Heathrow and Kigali<\/a> from November 6, 2022. <\/p>\n RwandAir operated flights to London via Brussels for five years before launching direct non-stop flights to London Heathrow Airport. <\/p>\nDirect flights to and from the US for Rwandan airlines <\/h2>\n