AIRLINK RECONNECTS JOHANNESBURG TO WINDHOEK WITH DAILY FLIGHTS, ADDS MAPUTO, LUSAKA AND NDOLA – AND BAGS INTERLINE DEAL WITH QATAR AIRWAYS
(Posted 16th October 2020)
Airlink, South Africa’s privately-owned regional airline, will launch daily direct air services reconnecting Johannesburg with Windhoek / Namibia starting on 26th of October.
This follows the relaxation of South Africa’s intra-Africa travel restrictions and Namibian Aeronautical Authorities acknowledging Airlink’s traffic rights and designation on the route.
Airlink also recently resumed scheduled services between Cape Town and Windhoek as well as between Johannesburg and Walvis Bay.
Air travel between the neighboring countries was suspended under the lockdown while public health authorities worked to successfully contain the spread of the Coronavirus in their respective territories.
“We can’t wait to re-establish this important connection between South Africa’s and Namibia’s main economic hubs and enable all-important trade, business and tourism between what are two very closely connected markets,” said Airlink CEO, Rodger Foster.
Airlink’s Johannesburg-Windhoek service will provide travelers with seamless connectivity with Airlink’s new services linking Johannesburg with Cape Town and also with Durban. Connections are also available to Airlink’s other South African destinations, such as George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, Upington, Kimberley, Polokwane, Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Skukuza, Pietermaritzburg, Mthatha and others. Since the beginning of October Airlink has also begun resuming services reconnecting various destinations throughout the SADC region with Johannesburg.
Airlink has also commenced twice weekly flights to Maputo / Mozambique earlier this week, having airline CEO Rodger Foster say: “Airlink is proud and excited to be launching this brand new service and adding it to our growing Southern Africa route network. It provides travellers with more choices, while also enabling crucial trade, business, tourism and family ties between two close regional markets. Although we have begun flights to Maputo, we plan to add more Mozambican destinations to our schedule in the coming days‘.
The airline also launched a three times a week service to Lusaka / Zambia and a twice weekly service to Ndola / Zambia, taking up opportunities now that airspaces are increasingly opening again across Southern Africa.
Airlink’s great value for money Economy Class fares include a 20kg free economy class checked in luggage allowance plus a 15kg sporting equipment allowance. Onboard, our customers are treated to a complimentary light meal, refreshments, generous leg room and a choice of aisle or window seat (our flights do not have middle seats).
Meanwhile was it also learned that Airlink has signed an interline deal with global giant Qatar Airways, expanding travel options for passengers of both airlines. The deal presently includes onward flights from QR’s South African destinations Cape Town and Johannesburg to such airports like Gaborone, Maun, Tete, Port Elizabeth, Lusaka, Harare and Victoria Falls. Additional destinations are under consideration to further expand the agreement.
Qatar Airways Vice President Africa, Mr. Hendrik Du Preez, said: “As the most connected airline during the pandemic with a network that never fell below 30 destinations, we strive to continue to offer more flexibility and options for our passengers. We are delighted to sign this interline agreement with Airlink to further expand our network in the region connecting passengers to more than 25 domestic and more than 20 regional destinations. With the borders in South Africa being closed for five months, we are thrilled to re-enter the market with additional connections in South Africa and beyond.”
Airlink CEO, Mr. Rodger Foster added: “We are proud and excited about our new interline commercial agreement with Qatar Airways. We have a deep respect for Qatar Airways, its values and its global reach. We are confident that the relationship will deliver enhanced travel options to customers given the designed interconnectivity that will be enabled at OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. Airlink’s offering of connectable destinations includes most key points within Southern Africa such as; Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, Harare, Lusaka, Maputo, Gaborone, Windhoek, amongst many others”.
