After the 1994 genocide the government took several attempts to revive the former national carrier Air Rwanda that ceased operations during the genocide . Various private companies showed interest in partnering with the government and Uganda-based SA Alliance Air ran the company from 1997 to 2000 . After SA Alliance ceased operations , the government Rwanda took over the Rwandan operations and re-branded the airline , to ensure its continuity . RwandAir began operations on 1 December 2002 as the new national carrier for Rwanda under the name '' ' Rwandair Express ' '' ( with passenger air transportation as the core activity ) . In 2016 , RwandAir received International Air Transport Association 's Safety Audit for Ground Operations ( ISAGO )
1994 genocide
Rwandan genocide
RwandAir