Qatar Airways has acquired a 25 percent stake in Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier independent regional carrier. Airlink currently serves 45 destinations across 15 African countries.
On Tuesday (August 20, 2024), Qatar Airways announced the acquisition of a 25 percent in Southern African regional carrier Airlink, which serves 45 destinations across 15 African countries. This will enhance the codesharing partnership between the two carriers, and will bolster Qatar Airways’ growth strategy in Africa. Additionally, as part of the expanded partnership, Qatar Airways and Airlink seek to align both carriers’ loyalty programs, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Airlink Skybucks. Currently, Qatar Airways serves 29 destinations in Africa, including new or resumed service to Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt, Cairo and Alexandria, all added since December 2020.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Qatar Airways Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said,
“Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business’ future. This partnership not only demonstrates our confidence in Airlink, as a company that is resilient, agile, financially robust and governed on sound principles, but also in Africa as a whole, showing huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising.”
Also commenting on the transaction, Airlink’s CEO, Rodger Foster, added,
“Having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and echoes our faith in the markets we currently serve and plan to add to our network. This transaction will unlock growth by providing efficiencies of scale, increasing our capacity and expanding our marketing reach. By bolstering Airlink and its business, this investment will strengthen all of the existing airline partnerships Airlink has nurtured over the years.”
Established in 1992, Airlink is Southern Africa’s premier privately-owned regional carrier. Operating a fleet of over 65 modern jets, Airlink serves cities throughout Southern Africa, as well as Madagascar and St. Helena Island. The carrier also offers global connections through partners such as Qatar Airways and their FlyNamibia franchise.
Source: Qatar Airways
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