LAND BORDERS ARE CLOSED BUT AIRSPACE REMAINS OPEN – FOR NOW
(Posted 12th January 2021)
Although South Africa’s land borders are closed until at least mid-February, Airlink, the independent airline, continues to serve Southern Africa’s main commercial centres with its comprehensive flight schedule and air route network.
South Africa’s decision to close its 20 land border points for all but emergency and exceptional travel, comes as countries across the region continue with efforts to curb COVID-19 infections and limit the pandemic’s harmful social and economic impact.
“Health and safety are critical, as is economic continuity, for which regional air travel is the only viable alternative. Airlink will continue to provide travellers with safe, reliable and affordable connectivity between South Africa and destinations throughout Southern Africa,” said Airlink Managing Director and CEO, Rodger Foster.
Airlink presently serves Lubumbashi (D.R. Congo), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Maseru (Lesotho), Sikhuphe (Eswatini), Harare and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), Gaborone, Maun and Kasane (Botswana), Windhoek and Walvis Bay (Namibia), Lusaka and Ndola (Zambia), Maputo, Beira, Pemba and Vilanculos (Mozambique) as well as numerous South African destinations.
Airlink flights are scheduled to enable customers and personnel to comply with South Africa’s curfew and still commute to and from airports with sufficient time to complete the necessary health, security and immigration checks prior to departure. As a result, all Airlink flights depart after 08.00 hrs (8 am). Similarly, Airlink flights arrive at their final destinations for the day before 20.00 hrs (8 pm) providing customers and personnel with sufficient time to reach their homes or places of accommodation before the 21.00 hrs (9 pm) curfew.
“The well-being of our customers, crew and staff is our priority. By diligently applying and adhering to stringent bio-security protocols, we have demonstrated that flying is the safest way to travel and that we can continue to support and enable business, tourism and trade without spreading the Coronavirus,” explained Mr Foster.
Airlink’s flight schedule is available on their website: www.flyairlink.com/flightschedule
Bookings can be made using Airlink’s website https://www.flyairlink.com/ – manage, through their Reservations office on tel +27 11 451 7300, or through travel agents.
Health and biosecurity requirements for travel
As each country applies its own health and biosecurity measures, customers should familiarise themselves and comply with the requirements of the countries to and from which they are travelling.
A useful resource for information on each country’s travel, health and passport requirements is the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) online Travel Centre facility https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm
