Qatar Airways Group has acquired a 25% stake in Airlink, Southern Africa's independent regional carrier. The move is part of the airline's ambition to further develop its operations across the African continent.
"The investment in Airlink will enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines. The deal will bolster Qatar Airways' Africa growth strategy and cement its role as a key driver to the continent’s economic success," Qatar Airways said in an announcement.
The Johannesburg-based Airlink operates a fleet of over 65 modern jetliners and flies to more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries.
[Source: Qatar Airways]
Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer stated that the carrier's investment in Airlink shows the importance of the African region to their future business.
"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 the huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising," he said.
Airlink chief executive Rodger Foster noted that having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and echoes the regional carrier's faith in the markets it currently serves and plans to add to its 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," Foster said.
The partnership between Qatar Airways and Airlink seeks to align both carriers' loyalty programs - Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Airlink Skybucks.
Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa, and the market has grown strongly, 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 are the African cities newly added to the Qatar Airways network, while Cairo and Alexandria were resumed.
