SOUTH AFRICA – Qatar Airways acquired a 25% stake in South African regional carrier Airlink as part of its ambitions to expand operations further across Africa.
Qatar Airways will gain two seats on Airlink’s 14 member board and will have 25% shareholder voting rights.
The investment aims to strengthen the existing code-sharing partnership between the two airlines and boost Qatar Airways’ presence across the continent.
The partnership also aims to align both carriers’ loyalty programs – Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Airlink Skybucks.
With a 25% equity stake in Airlink, Qatar Airways will take the maximum foreign ownership share that South African regulators allow for airlines.
Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group CEO, emphasised the importance of Africa to the company’s future, stating that the investment demonstrates confidence in both Airlink and the continent’s potential.
Airlink CEO Rodger Foster welcomed the partnership, highlighting the expected benefits of increased efficiency, capacity, and marketing reach. The collaboration is set to align the airlines’ loyalty programmes and expand their combined network.
Qatar Airways currently serves 29 African destinations, having added nine new routes since December 2020.
The investment underscores Qatar Airways’ commitment to playing a key role in Africa’s economic development and aviation sector growth.
The move from Qatar Airways comes amid a host of major international flight operators expanding their offerings in South Africa.
German Airline Lufthansa will launch a direct flight between Johannesburg and Munich in September, and seasonal flights between Cape Town and Munich will also be available in November.
Lufthansa will thus offer two direct flights to Germany from Johannesburg, as it already offers a flight to Frankfurt. Its sister airline, Swiss, also offers direct flights to Zurich.
Low-cost Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways also announced that it will launch a new route connecting London Gatwick Airport with Cape Town International Airport in October.
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