Qatar Airways has 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 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.“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,” said Airlink Chief Executive Rodger Foster.
The executives did not disclose the value of the investment, and Qatar Airways’ Al Meer said it would require regulatory approval.
Qatar’s presence in the continent has expanded rapidly since it launched its first African destinations in 2020 and now includes services to 29 cities in Africa as well as a 60% stake in Rwanda’s newest airport.
According to reports, the airline is also in the final stages of acquiring a 49% stake in RwandAir, the country’s flag carrier, as part of its effort to capitalise on the strong growth forecast for Africa’s air travel market.
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.
Airlink was launched in 1992 and is now one of the biggest domestic airlines in Africa, with flights to 45 destinations in 15 countries across Africa.
The Airlink fleet comprises Embraer 16 ERJ135s, 11 ERJ140s, seven E170/175s, 28 E190s and six E195 jets.
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