Qatar Airways is expanding connectivity across southern Africa via a codeshare pact with Johannesburg-based carrier Airlink.
The new arrangement provides connections between 45 destinations in 13 countries across southern Africa and the rest of the world.
The agreement increases Qatar Airways’ footprint in southern Africa, with improved access to destinations such as Port Elizabeth, Hoedspruit, Skukuza, George in South Africa and to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Qatar Airways started serving Luanda, Harare and Lusaka from Doha last year and resumes flights to Windhoek this month, providing another connection to Airlink’s regional network via eight gateways in the region.
The new codeshare flights are due to start on July 6 subject to government approval.
Qatar Airways runs 21 direct weekly flights from Doha to Johannesburg, 10 a week to Cape Town and four weekly flights to Durban.
Group chief executive Akbar al Baker said: “Expanding our network with Airlink gives our customers more choice of destinations and flights, that 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.”
Airlink chief executive Rodger Foster added: “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.”