Qatar Airways has signed an interline agreement with Airlink, further expanding its presence in Southern Africa as the largest carrier to operate from the region.
An interline agreement is a relationship between airlines which allows one airline to sell services to a customer that are provided by another airline. Airlines use interline agreements to sell itineraries that they would otherwise not be able to serve alone.
The agreement with Airlink will provide passengers seamless connectivity via Cape Town, and Johannesburg to more than 20 regional destinations in Southern Africa including; Gaborone, Maun, Tete, Port Elizabeth, Lusaka, Harare and Victoria Falls.
Qatar Airways is one of the largest international carriers in the world.
Qatar Airways’ passengers will benefit from access to more than 25 domestic destinations via the most on time South African airline for 2020 as measured by the Airport’s Company of South Africa.
Qatar Airways Vice President Africa, Hendrik Du Preez, said: ‘As the most connected airline during the pandemic with a network that never fell below 30 destinations, we strive to continue to offer more flexibility and options for our passengers. We are delighted to sign this interline agreement with Airlink to further expand our network in the region connecting passengers to more than 25 domestic and more than 20 regional destinations. With the borders in South Africa being closed for five months, we are thrilled to re-enter the market with additional connections in South Africa and beyond.’
Airlink CEO, Rodger Foster added: ‘We are proud and excited about our new interline commercial agreement with Qatar Airways. We have a deep respect for Qatar Airways, its values and its global reach. We are confident that the relationship will deliver enhanced travel options to customers given the designed interconnectivity that will be enabled at OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. Airlink’s offering of connectable destinations includes most key points within Southern Africa such as; Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, Harare, Lusaka, Maputo, Gaborone, Windhoek, amongst many others’.
Qatar Airways becomes the first global carrier to operate Honeywell’s Ultraviolet (UV) Cabin System, further advancing its hygiene measures onboard. In clinical tests, UV light has been shown to be capable of inactivating various viruses and bacteria when properly applied. Onboard, all Qatar Airways passengers are provided with a complimentary protective kit.
Airlink has recently resumed flights to and from Lesotho and Eswatini and South Africa.
‘Our daily west-bound early afternoon departure from Sikhuphe in Eswatini, and lunchtime departures returning from Johannesburg, provide travellers with seamless connectivity with Airlink’s new direct flights linking Johannesburg with Cape Town and with Durban,’ Foster said. The services operate as follows:
Maseru-Johannesburg
Flight 4Z 053 departs Maseru on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11am, arriving in Johannesburg at 12.05pm. Flight 4Z 052 departs Johannesburg at 09.35am arriving in Maseru at 10.35am.
Sikhuphe-Johannesburg
Flight 4Z 85 departs Sikhuphe on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 2.10pm, arriving in Johannesburg at 3.15pm. Flight 4Z 84 departs Johannesburg at 12.55pm, arriving in Sikhuphe at 1.45pm.
Picture: Getaway gallery
