Airlink and Qatar Airways have signed a codeshare agreement, enabling a comprehensive expanded network that offers travellers more choice, enhanced services and greater connectivity between 45 destinations in 13 countries.
A statement released this morning said the agreement “means travellers can enjoy the simplicity of purchasing connecting flights on both airlines using a single reservation with seamless ticketing, check-in, boarding and baggage-check experience, during the entire journey”.
Passengers can now book “attractive offers” to cities across the world, including New York, Dallas, London, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Manila, Jakarta and Cebu.
“The agreement also increases Qatar Airways’ footprint in southern Africa, with improved access to destinations such as Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Hoedspruit, Skukuza and George in South Africa, and beyond to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.”
Qatar Airways’ group Chief Executive, Akbar al Baker, said: “Expanding our network with Airlink gives our customers more choice of destinations and flights, which we hope will contribute to the rapid recovery of travel, which plays such an important role in southern African economies.
“We have boosted our presence in the African market by adding eight new destinations since the start of the pandemic and fostering partnerships such as this dynamic agreement with Airlink, which will greatly enhance our offering to our customers and support travel and trade.”
The codeshare agreement is another feather in the cap for Qatar’s post-pandemic expansion ambitions.
According to the statement it “was the only airline to launch new services in southern Africa after the pandemic, starting operations to Luanda, Harare and Lusaka last year”.
Qatar was also “the only carrier to continue operations to southern Africa during the pandemic and its immediate aftermath, allowing for the movement of goods, medicines and essential travel between the region and the rest of the world”.
“This enabled people to return home to their families, to jobs and assisted with the post-pandemic recovery of our southern Africa trade partners, and the business community.
“It resumes operations to Windhoek this month, providing another connection to Airlink’s already extensive regional network via eight gateways in the region.”
Airlink MD and CEO, Rodger Foster, said: “This development is an endorsement of Airlink’s relevance to providing air access to the entire region through our expansive network of destinations, which, when considered in conjunction with Qatar Airways’ global reach, creates unparalleled connectivity opportunities.
“As southern Africa’s leading airline, Airlink provides comprehensive, safe, and reliable air transportation services, enabling socio-economic development by connecting people with each other and facilitating trade within the region and beyond.”
The new codeshare flights are available for sale and will commence travel on July 6, subject to government approval.
Passengers can book their travel with both airlines, through online travel agencies as well as with local travel agents.
