Bugesera Airport Set to Replace Kanombe for Large Flights by 2028

Gasore made the announcement on Oct. 9, 2025, after meeting members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security. Lawmakers had invited him to discuss the government’s ongoing measures to reduce road accidents, but he also provided an update on major infrastructure projects.

He said construction of the Bugesera airport is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed by 2027, with operations beginning in mid-2028.

“Work at the site is going well. The goal is to complete the airport by 2027 and start operations by mid-2028,” Gasore told reporters in Kigali.

The minister explained that once the new facility opens, large aircraft will no longer use the existing Kigali International Airport in Kanombe. The government is assessing how to repurpose the current airport for other aviation-related activities to ensure it remains economically productive.

“Large passenger and cargo planes will no longer operate from Kanombe,” Gasore said. “We will explore new uses for the facility to make sure it continues to contribute to the aviation sector.”
To improve accessibility, the government plans to begin construction of major access roads to the new airport in early 2026. Gasore said three main roads will connect the Bugesera airport to Kigali and other regions to facilitate passenger and cargo transport.

“There will be a road linking Masaka to the airport, another connecting the outer part of Bugesera, and a major one from Kicukiro Bridge to the airport,” he said. “Feasibility studies are complete, and tenders will soon be issued so that construction begins next year.”

The new Kigali International Airport, located about 25 kilometers southeast of the capital, sits on a 900-hectare site. Once fully operational, it is expected to handle up to 8 million passengers annually and serve as a major aviation hub in the region.

The project is part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to expand its transport infrastructure and strengthen its position as a logistics and business hub for East Africa, boosting trade, tourism, and investment.