KGLlarge airport

Kigali International Airport

Kigali, Rwanda

Explore Kigali city guide Navigate to this airport

Routes out

Destinations

ICAO

HRYR

Elevation

4859 ft

The gateway in a glance

The Essence of Kigali International Airport

KGL

Location

Kigali · 01 · Rwanda

Connectivity

40 routes · 16 destinations

Position

-1.969°, 30.140° · 4859 ft elev.

Visa & Entry

Visa on Arrival (all nationalities), e-Visa

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A closer look

Living guide content for Kigali International Airport — read or listen in 46+ languages.

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TravelerPulse profile

Rwanda's primary international gateway serving Kigali.

Opened

1964

Location

Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali International Airport (KGL/HRYR) is the main commercial airport of Rwanda, located in the capital city of Kigali. It serves as the primary hub for RwandAir, Rwanda's national carrier, and handles the majority of the country's international passenger and cargo traffic. The airport has undergone significant upgrades in recent years as part of Rwanda's broader ambition to position Kigali as a regional aviation hub in East and Central Africa. A new greenfield airport, Bugesera International Airport, has been under development to eventually replace or supplement KGL as capacity demands grow. Despite its relatively modest size, Kigali International Airport connects Rwanda to major African cities as well as intercontinental destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, reflecting the country's growing role in regional business and tourism.

Terminals

The airport operates a single terminal building handling both domestic and international passengers.

Getting to & from

The airport is located approximately 8 kilometers from Kigali city center and is accessible by taxi, ride-hailing services, and private transfers; no dedicated rail or bus rapid transit link currently exists.

Airlines here

RwandAir is the primary hub carrier, with additional service from Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines, and other regional and international carriers.

Notable facts

›Serves as the main hub for RwandAir, Rwanda's national airline founded in 2002.
›Located at an elevation of approximately 1,490 meters (4,888 feet) above sea level.
›Rwanda has been developing Bugesera International Airport as a future replacement for KGL.
›The airport played a logistical role during and after the 1994 Rwandan Genocide in international relief efforts.
›Kigali's growing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism sector has driven increased international air traffic through the airport.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (16 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

South African Airways

Brussels Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Northern Dene Airways

USA Jet Airlines

United Airlines

Rwandair Express

Routes

KGL → EBBAC · 332

KGL → NBOAC · 332

KGL → BJMAF · E70

KGL → EBBAF · 332 330

KGL → EBBDL · 332 330

KGL → ADDET · 73W 738

KGL → BJMET · 738

KGL → BJMKL · EMJ E70

KGL → EBBKL · 330

KGL → NBOKL · E70

KGL → BJMKQ · E70

KGL → NBOKQ · E90 E70

KGL → EBBLH · 332

KGL → NBOLH · 332

KGL → ADDMS · 738

KGL → BJMMS · 738

KGL → EBBQR · 320

KGL → JNBSA · 73W

KGL → EBBSN · 332

KGL → NBOSN · 332

KGL → EBBTK · 739

KGL → BJMU7 · CRJ

KGL → EBBU7 · CRJ

KGL → EBBUA · 332

KGL → NBOUA · 332

KGL → BJMWB · DH4

KGL → BRUWB · 332

KGL → BZVWB · 73W

KGL → DARWB · CRJ

KGL → DXBWB · 738

KGL → EBBWB · CRJ 738 DH4

KGL → ISTWB · 739

KGL → JNBWB · 73W

KGL → JROWB · CRJ

KGL → JUBWB · CRJ

KGL → KMEWB · DH4

KGL → LBVWB · 73W 738

KGL → LOSWB · 73W 738

KGL → MBAWB · 738

KGL → NBOWB · CRJ

Aircraft operating here

Airbus A330-20011 routes Boeing 737-8009 routes CRJ7 routes 73W6 routes Embraer 1705 routes Airbus A3303 routes De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 Dash 8Q3 routes Boeing 737-9002 routes EMJ1 routes Embraer 1901 routes Airbus A3201 routes

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Where

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City & Place Guide

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via KGL? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Rwanda from official government sources.

Rwanda visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →

Encyclopaedia

Kigali International Airport, formerly known as Grégoire Kayibanda International Airport named after Rwanda's first elected president, is the primary international airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. There are 4 airlines based at Kigali Airport: RwandAir, the flag carrier airline of Rwanda; Akagera Aviation, a Rwandan helicopter airline; Tempus Jet, an American airline providing charter flights; and Nexus Aero, a Saudi VIP airline.

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