Qatar Airways has acquired a quarter share of South African regional carrier Airlink.
The deal comes as the Doha-based airline seeks to expand operations across Africa.
The undisclosed investment in Johannesburg-based Airlink, which serves more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries with a fleet of 65 aircraft, will enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines. Airlink also serves the remote Atlantic island of St Helena.
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Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa and sees strong growth in the market.
State-owned Qatar Airways holds stakes in British Airways-owner International Airlines Group, Latam Airlines, Cathay Pacific and China Southern Airlines.
It has also been in talks to acquire a minority stake in Rwanda’s RwandAir.
Qatar Airways chief executive 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.”
Airlink chief executive 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.”