► CANADA: Tunisair planning to codeshare with Libyan Airlines on flights to Canada in 2014?

While awaiting the delivery of its first three A330-200s, Tunisair (TU) director general, Mr Rabah Jrad, says his airline plans to enter into a codeshare deal with Libyan Airlines (LN) on long haul routes to Canada.

► ALGERIA: Air Algérie in talks to buy 787-8s, 737-800NGs and A330s as international expansion plans move forward.

Algerian carrier, Air Algèrie (AH), in an announcement via its official Facebook page, is to forge ahead with the first stage of its previously announced renewal plan with the carrier said to be negotiating a deal for the purchase of an undisclosed number of Boeing 787-800s, that it hopes to "make concrete very soon." Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for 2017.

► RWANDA: See Pics of RwandAir's first CRJ-900NG arriving in Kigali!

Rwandan national carrier Rwandair (WB) has officially received its first of two Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) 900NGs (MSN# 15286 | 9XR-WH) following a hand-over ceremony in Montreal, Canada and a delivery flight routed Montréal - Goose Bay - Reykjavík - Ancona - Aswan - Kigali.

► CANADA: See Pics of RwandAir's first Bombardier CRJ-900NG Jet just out of the paint shop!

The first pictures out of Montreal's Mirabel Airport, Canada have emerged of Rwandan flag carrier RwandAir's (WB) first of two Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) 900NGs (MSN# 15286| 9XR-WH), due for delivery in October of this year. The value of the two CRJ 900s together is USD$185million.

Said RwandAir CEO John Mirenge on signing the contract in March:

"Based on our experience with the CRJ200 aircraft, the dual-class 75-seat CRJ900 NextGen aircraft was the logical upgrade. CRJ900 NextGen aircraft also provide exceptional reliability and have much in common with other CRJ aircraft. These aircraft will be configured with seven business class seats and 68 economy class seats."

Source [Bombardier]

RwandAir CRJ900 '9XR-WH' in the paintshop.

All done. (RwandAir)

The jets will play a pivotal role in freeing up Rwandair's larger Boeing 737-800s as the carrier seeks to increase its regional footprint in coming months, with much speculation surrounding possible new routes to Lusaka (Zambia), Cape Town (South Africa), and Juba (South Sudan).