Guyana, Rwanda sign “open skies” deal to boost Africa air links

Guyana and Rwanda have taken a major step toward increasing air connectivity between the two countries, signing an “open skies” Air Services Agreement on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada.
The Agreement, signed by H E Prosper Higiro, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Canada, and Lt Col (Ret’d) Egbert Field, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, aims to encourage and facilitate airlines operating air services between Guyana and Rwanda, as well as to other international destinations.
Alongside standard provisions covering the grant of rights, designation and authorisation, recognition of certificates and licences, safety, aviation security, commercial activities, code sharing, and operational flexibility, both countries expressed optimism that the agreement would create new opportunities for airline expansion and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
High Commissioner Higiro described the deal as “not just another bilateral agreement on paper but signifies the spirit of where our two countries are going. We look forward to the operationalisation and implementation of this Agreement.”
Director General Field emphasised the strategic importance of the move for Guyana’s international connectivity.
“The African continent is at least five hours away from Guyana, and we must work diligently to operationalise air connectivity between Guyana and Africa, as was done during the war days in the 1940s,” he said. “The signature of this Agreement builds on the spirit of cooperation committed between H E President Dr Irfaan Ali and H E Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda.”
Rwanda is home to Rwanda Air, which operates a fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft from Kigali International Airport to 22 cities across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The new agreement complements the more than 50 air services agreements Guyana has already established with other ICAO member states, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become an international hub for air connectivity.
Guyana and Rwanda formally established diplomatic relations on 24 August 2022. The signing of this agreement underscores President Ali’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties while expanding Guyana’s reach in global air transport.