Is a 45 min layover in Kigali long enough?

KGL · Kigali International · Kigali, Rwanda
It Depends

A 45 minutes layover at KGL (Kigali) is tight — it may or may not be enough.

Meets the domestic-international minimum but is tight for a full international-international transfer.
Concourses
1
Max Transit
10m
Avg. Security
15m
Primary Hub
RwandAir
Domestic → Domestic
30min
Domestic → International
45min
tight
International → Domestic
45min
tight
International → International
60min
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
RwandAir's hub schedule is built around banks of flights, so most connections are timed with reasonable buffers by design.
Keep boarding passes and passports handy, as transfer passengers are often manually checked at a transfer desk rather than through automated systems.
The terminal is small enough that gate-to-gate walks rarely exceed five minutes, so tight connections are more about immigration and transfer processing than distance.
If connecting from an international flight to another international flight, watch for possible re-screening depending on your origin country's security status.
Arrive at the transfer desk promptly after landing, as RwandAir staff often personally escort connecting passengers during peak banks.
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
All gates are located within a single small terminal building, reached on foot from a central departure lounge. There is no airside train or shuttle since the terminal is compact enough to walk end-to-end in a few minutes. Security re-screening is generally not required for connecting passengers who stay airside, though transfer desks may direct some passengers through a secondary check depending on origin.
Is 45 minutes enough for a layover at Kigali International (KGL)?

Meets the domestic-international minimum but is tight for a full international-international transfer.

What is the minimum connection time at KGL?

Minimum connection times at Kigali International: Domestic-to-Domestic is 30 minutes, International-to-International is 60 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 45 minutes connection at KGL on an international flight?

45 minutes is below the 60-minute international MCT at Kigali International. You may need to rush and could miss your connection. All gates are located within a single small terminal building, reached on foot from a central departure lounge. There is no airside train or shuttle since the terminal is compact enough to walk end-to-end in a few minutes. Security re-screening is generally not required for connecting passengers who stay airside, though transfer desks may direct some passengers through a secondary check depending on origin.

How much time do I need for a layover at KGL?

We recommend at least 1 hour for a comfortable connection at Kigali International. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 15 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 10 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at KGL?

If you miss a connection, proceed directly to the RwandAir transfer desk in the terminal, as they handle rebooking for their own network and partner airlines on the spot given the airport's small size and limited flight frequency.

AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER