Kigali — Regulations setting highest standards and ensuring safety in the aviation industry have been approved by the cabinet.

The recently approved regulations spell out new rules of airspace, aircraft registration and safety of both passengers and the facilities used in the aviation industry.

This development paves way for Rwanda to positions her self as a regional airline hub. These rules conform to international civil aviation standards.

The country's central location in the Great Lakes Region and open skies policies is a potential to turn Rwanda into a transfer point- get passengers to their intended destination.

"They (regulations) are ICAO obligations in all member states to keep regulations as uniform as possible to harmonise air transport," Josua Mbaraga, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) director general said.

International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), is a specialised agency of the United Nations charged with coordinating and regulating international air travel.

The regulations also benchmark Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority before being admitted to the East African Community Civil Aviation body.

Archaic regulation

The country was using aviation regulations that were last reviewed in 1977.

"We were using outdated laws and this would make it difficult to regulate the industry," Mbaraga said. He said the reviewed laws will now re-assure the traveling public and air transport operators of law and order in the industry.

"In presence of updated laws it gives me confidence to regulate and also attract potential investors in the aviation industry," he said.