Qatar Airways Group has acquired a 25% stake in South African regional carrier, Airlink as it strives to further develop its operations across the African continent.
The investment in Johannesburg, Gauteng-headquartered Airlink – which flies to more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries – will enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines as well as bolster Qatar Airways’ Africa growth strategy.
Airlink Cargo provides airfreight transport directly to more than 40 destinations across Southern Africa. Its range of product verticals include general, express and vulnerable cargo, dangerous goods, live animals, perishables and compassionate remains.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Engr. 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 said: “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.”
Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa. The airline said there has been strong growth in the market with new destinations added to the Qatar Airways network on the continent since December 2020.
Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt have been recently added to the Qatar Airways network, while Cairo and Alexandria have been resumed.