Airlink Cargo South Africa and Astral Aviation have signed a broad interline agreement connecting the networks of the two companies.

In a statement, the carriers said this new commercial partnership is bound to boost airfreight cargo logistics in Africa, providing more options and access to the Sub-Saharan market through the two airlines’ hubs in Johannesburg and Nairobi.

Effective from August 1, 2021, the interline agreement is seen to widen Airlink Cargo's network with Astral Aviation to include Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Furthermore, Astral Aviation will also have access to many services operated by Airlink Cargo beyond Johannesburg to: Beira, Tete, Pemba and Maputo (Mozambique); Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban (South Africa); Lubumbashi (Congo DRC); Gaborone (Botswana); Victoria Falls and Harare (Zimbabwe); Ndola and Livingstone (Zambia); Maseru (Lesotho); Antananarivo and Nosy Be (Madagascar); Walvis Bay and Windhoek (Namibia).

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Astral Aviation, Sanjeev Gadhia, "The interline agreement will offer new opportunities and connectivity into Airlink’s network, which comprises various points in South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Madagascar and Namibia."