Qatar Airways Group has acquired a 25% stake in southern Africa’s independent regional carrier, Airlink.
This is a continuation of the multiple award-winning airline’s ambition to further develop its operations across Africa.
The investment in Airlink – which flies to over 45 destinations in 15 African countries – will enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines.
The deal will support Airlink’s growth strategy and cement its role as a key driver to the continent’s economic success.
Qatar Airways’ group chief executive, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, says the investment in Airlink demonstrates how integral Africa is to the future of the 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 huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising,” Al-Meer notes.
Airlink chief executive Rodger Foster says having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and echoes the company’s faith in the markets they currently serve and the plan to add to their 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 the existing airline partnerships Airlink has nurtured over the years,” he adds.
The partnership between Qatar Airways and Airlink seeks to align both carriers’ loyalty programmes – Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Airlink Skybucks.
Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa. There has been strong growth in the market, with nine new destinations added to the Qatar Airways network on the continent since December 2020. Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka and Port Harcourt are the African cities newly added to the extensive Qatar Airways network, while Cairo and Alexandria were resumed.
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